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The Worst & Best Voice Acting You've Ever Heard

HaydenHayden
edited May 2011 in General Chat
I've asked you guys about the worst puzzles and levels you've ever encountered, now I'd like to know what some of the worst voice acting you've ever heard might be. But this time I'd actually like to know of some of the best voice acting you've ever heard.

Voice acting can often make or break a game, mostly cinematic or story-based games. Good voice acting can enhance cinematics and dialogue immensely, engage the viewer, and bring a lot of the game's script to life. But bad voice acting can often work in the opposite manner, where a game can have some great writing, but have it completely destroyed by cheap, terrible voice-over.

So, what are some outstanding examples of both great and terrible voice acting?

(Note: This thread's discussion isn't strictly limited to just games. Please feel free to mention other entertainment mediums.)
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Comments

  • coolsomecoolsome
    edited May 2011
    I take a potato chip AND EAT IT
  • DaviesDavies
    edited May 2011
    In terms of games:

    The original "Resident Evil" for the Playstation has the worst voice acting. Although, it's so bad, it's good!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQdZQ5KjgbU

    "Dreamfall" deserves a mention for it's fantastic acting...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Z_sIIBjQY&feature=related

    When it comes to film and TV:

    One of the most touching moments (dealing with the inevitability of death) comes from the BBC comedy "The Royle Family"...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wml_pynnDBU

    The award for worst acting has to go to the "Star Wars" prequels...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XGSUDZa8o4
  • HaydenHayden
    edited May 2011
    Davies wrote: »
    "Dreamfall" deserves a mention for it's fantastic acting...

    Check out the original 'Longest Journey'; the voice acting (overall) was even better in that. Sure, 'Dreamfall' had performances of equal quality to 'TLJ', but 'TLJ' has consistently good voice acting from basically every character in the game, which helps a lot in making the characters seem human, since the tiny polygon count certainly didn't help in that regard.
  • DaviesDavies
    edited May 2011
    Hayden wrote: »
    Check out the original 'Longest Journey'; the voice acting (overall) was even better in that. Sure, 'Dreamfall' had performances of equal quality to 'TLJ', but 'TLJ' has consistently good voice acting from basically every character in the game, which helps a lot in making the characters seem human, since the tiny polygon count certainly didn't help in that regard.

    lol. I know, I've played both games multiple times. I chose to mention the sequel purely because it's the more recent game and the example I provided featured Crow and April, who were both in TLJ as well.
  • HaydenHayden
    edited May 2011
    Davies wrote: »
    lol. I know, I've played both games.

    Ah, alright then. Sorry, I was just a bit thrown off by your choice to mention the game with the lesser quality voice acting.

    Edit:
    Davies wrote: »
    I chose to mention the sequel purely because it's the more recent game and the example I provided featured Crow and April, who were both in TLJ as well.

    Okay, fair enough.
  • DaviesDavies
    edited May 2011
    "A Vampyre Story" features some great voice acting from Froderick and some nails-on-a-chalkboard acting from Mona...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP1EBrpbnxc

    Also, for those who've never encountered the plagiarised-tastic "Limbo of the Lost"; you really need to watch this...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URcvdDtnM_0
  • Darth MarsdenDarth Marsden
    edited May 2011
    Davies wrote: »
    Also, for those who've never encountered the plagiarised-tastic "Limbo of the Lost"; you really need to watch this...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URcvdDtnM_0
    I've read the Let's Play, though I don't think I ever want to hear any of the characters talk. And that ending? Never ever watch it. EVER.

    Worst voice acting I've personally sat through would be from the game Chewy: Esc from F5, which is an old German adventure game with an appallingly bad translation and a lead character whose voice is like a rubbing a cheese grater against a sheet of glass. Ugh.

    Also: How has no-one mentioned Zero Wing?
  • RetroVortexRetroVortex
    edited May 2011
    Davies wrote: »
    "A Vampyre Story" features some great voice acting from Froderick and some nails-on-a-chalkboard acting from Mona...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP1EBrpbnxc

    Also, for those who've never encountered the plagiarised-tastic "Limbo of the Lost"; you really need to watch this...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URcvdDtnM_0

    I could watch that ending on loop all day.... :D

    a doo wapthhhh a dooby doo wapthhhh....
  • DaviesDavies
    edited May 2011
    Darth Marsden wrote: »
    How has no-one mentioned Zero Wing?

    Well, that was a case of badly translated dialogue, rather than voice acting but...

    "All your base are belong to us", happy now?

    P.S. I owned Zero Wing back in the day, long before it became an Internet fad and it's still my favourite game of its ilk and yes, that includes R-Type.
  • ScnewScnew
    edited May 2011
    Stop not posting Mega Man 8!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FHMo3n12_I

    Doctah Wahwee must be stopped, W-Mega Man!
  • coolsomecoolsome
    edited May 2011
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIt0VY7Yg2w
  • DaviesDavies
    edited May 2011
    RetroVortex wrote: »
    I could watch that ending on loop all day.... :D

    I know what you mean, I've already watched it 4 times today. It never ceases to make me smile. Some of my "favourite" lines are...

    "Go on Rita, baby. Now that sounds really groovy."

    "*incomprehensible signing*... I thinks that we should be crowning hims the King of Liiiiiimmmmmm'boooo. Take it away Rita, baby. That's cool."

    By far the funniest part is when "Rita baby's" head performs an "Exorcist" style 360 degree turn, with some of the worst animation ever created by man.
    Scnew wrote: »
    Stop not posting Mega Man 8!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FHMo3n12_I

    Doctah Wahwee must be stopped, W-Mega Man!

    Is that voice actor... drunk?!:eek:
  • Chyron8472Chyron8472
    edited May 2011
    coolsome wrote: »
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIt0VY7Yg2w

    Justin Bieber might not be a good actor, but Hayden Christiansen is far worse.
  • coolsomecoolsome
    edited May 2011
    Chyron8472 wrote: »
    Justin Bieber might not be a good actor, but Hayden Christiansen is far worse.

    Rifftrax takes the piss out of him soo much.XD
  • DaviesDavies
    edited May 2011
    "The Room" has to get a mention...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S9Ew3TIeVQ
    Chyron8472 wrote: »
    Justin Bieber might not be a good actor, but Hayden Christiansen is far worse.

    Actually, Hayden Christensen isn't that bad of an actor. It's just that, like Natalie Portman, he suffers when directed by a hack such as George Lucas.
  • RetroVortexRetroVortex
    edited May 2011
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPrnh-zZwqc
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuxlPhks2UY
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g5LFYlWpkE

    EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp5krDoflLI

    Which is this one? because I DON'T KNOW!!!!

    EDIT 2:

    Also Nicolas Cage qualifies for both:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP1-oquwoL8
  • Martin McFlyMartin McFly
    edited May 2011
    No one's mentioned Oh God, Oh Man? I'm surprised.
  • RetroVortexRetroVortex
    edited May 2011
    Who doesn't love Arnie? (his wife? XD)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxn0Xfqkgw&feature=related
  • Darth MarsdenDarth Marsden
    edited May 2011
    Martin McFly wrote: »
    No one's mentioned Oh God, Oh Man? I'm surprised.
    Oh My Goooooooooooooooooood!
  • FalancaFalanca
    edited May 2011
    English dub of Hugo games.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVlR6yvoVjQ
  • Strana1428Strana1428
    edited May 2011
    This isn't bad its just out of place.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkHk7fwcDg4&feature=related
  • DaviesDavies
    edited May 2011
    More Nicolas Cage "goodness" with the Wicker Man remake...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6i2WRreARo
    RetroVortex wrote: »
    [url][/url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuxlPhks2UY

    "Looks like my advice had no affect. Suffer like G did.":D I love that line delivery.
  • FitzoliverJFitzoliverJ
    edited May 2011
    The voice actor(s) who

    1) supplied additional dialogue for Rincewind (in the presumed absence of Eric Idle) in the game "Discworld"
    2) replaced the late Jon Pertwee as Windle Poons in "Discworld 2"
    3) replaced the quick Tony Robinson as CMOT Dibber in "Discworld 2"

    all uncredited, and all almost certainly Rob Brydon.

    (Considering how much stick he gets from Lee Mack on "Would I Lie To You?" over his impressions, I think we can assume that Mr. M is not an adventure gamer, otherwise these instances would surely have been raised).
  • Darth MarsdenDarth Marsden
    edited May 2011
    1) was definitely Rob Brydon. Couldn't speak for the others without replaying the game, though I suspect you're probably right. D2 certainly had a smaller voice cast than D1.
  • coolsomecoolsome
    edited May 2011
    This takes bad voicing to new levels

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6flVBuP8ceU&NR=1

    Also ANYONE HAVE A CLUE WHAT HES SAYING!?
  • The-J23The-J23
    edited May 2011
    coolsome wrote: »
    Also ANYONE HAVE A CLUE WHAT HES SAYING!?

    I hear, "Man you talk funny" but, the rest is incoherent.
  • coolsomecoolsome
    edited May 2011
    The-J23 wrote: »
    I hear, "Man you talk funny" but, the rest is incoherent.

    Its awesome thats the only bit anyone can understand.
  • dumpling321dumpling321
    edited May 2011
    Best-American Mcgee's Alice
    Worst-Brave fencer musashi 2

    I'm usually not that bothered by voice acting, musashi 2 was just too much though, good game, but I almost couldn't finish it because of the rancid VA
  • RetroVortexRetroVortex
    edited May 2011
    coolsome wrote: »
    Also ANYONE HAVE A CLUE WHAT HES SAYING!?

    At least you can understand this guy:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtzlKJ1dObU
  • Secret FawfulSecret Fawful
    edited May 2011
    Scnew wrote: »
    Stop not posting Mega Man 8!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FHMo3n12_I

    Doctah Wahwee must be stopped, W-Mega Man!

    This is my favorite example ever. "When we find dat meteyah, we'll find Dr. Wow-wee." It's not Dr. Light, it's Elmer Fudd.

    As far as Nicolas Cage, this NSFW clip is just the epitome of his worst acting. Beware the "HI-FUCKIN-YA!"

    Also, you can't really beat this clip for horrible anime dubbing.
  • RetroVortexRetroVortex
    edited May 2011
    Secret Fawful wrote: »
    Also, you can't really beat this clip for horrible anime dubbing.

    I do believe sir that you have been ninja'd!!

    ask_ninja_pirates.jpg
  • Darth MarsdenDarth Marsden
    edited May 2011
    Some of the best voice acting I've heard recently was in an anime, of all places. Fruits Basket has some great dubbing, but the voice actor for Shigure Sohma had me cracking up. He sings a little song about school girls that get me every time. The rest of the anime has some pretty good dubbing, but he's definitely the highlight.

    Not as fun as pointing out a bad one, but still, wanted to mention it.
  • divisiontendivisionten
    edited May 2011
    If we're talking GOOD anime dubs, well, you can't NOT mention Fullmetal Alchemist (which is a big duh). It's mot only the dub they did right, but the localization. Gluttony aside, of course, but believe it or not, it was the Japanese casters that wanted that kind of voice.

    Another dub done really well is Kino's Journey. I own the DVDs and have seen both sub and dub and I will say I simply can't watch it in Japanese. The English version just sounds 'right' somehow, and yet, neither of the main characters have been in any other anime before or since.
  • Gman5852Gman5852
    edited May 2011
    Mindjack.
  • lattsamlattsam
    edited May 2011
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAtC1SzWSXg

    What, you thought I was going to say something else?

    In all honesty, Chaos Wars' dub is bad. Really, really, bad. Uru sounds like a gay dude with a lisp, Karen sounds bored and she speaks with an indecipherable accent, and Nicole... is apparently a boy's name. Seriously, what parents name their son Nicole?

    If you like bad voice acting, watch this video. It'll take your Tengaio away!
  • tredlowtredlow
    edited May 2011
    Sobaditsawsum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihMOQp3Tmu4

    Also, this is a fine example of amazing cooperation between animator and voice-actor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQZHz_roncY Just look at how one benefits the other.
  • DantoshouDantoshou

    Also: How has no-one mentioned Zero Wing?

    Are you confirming my suspicions, that Zero Wing had voice acting BEFORE it hit the internet and people started dubbing it? I had the mega drive version and I remember it had a very monotone voice that was reading all the lines... Does anyone have the original game and can post a video of this, I have checked the internet and not found it :(

    Darth Marsden posted: »

    Davies wrote: » Also, for those who've never encountered the plagiarised-tastic "Limbo of the Lost"; you really need to watch this... htt

  • MtnPeakMtnPeak

  • GibbeynatorGibbeynator

    I think you're thinking of "Invasion of the Gabber Robots", since the actual Zero Wing opening doesn't have voice acting.

    Dantoshou posted: »

    Also: How has no-one mentioned Zero Wing? Are you confirming my suspicions, that Zero Wing had voice acting BEFORE it hit the internet and

  • thedreamcatcherthedreamcatcher
    edited March 2014

    I am a sonic fan, please don't laugh
    I really hate when they get a different voice actor and because they voice the character this way the creators have to change the character.
    Kirk Thornton now voice Shadow, and now the character has to be older. Kirk Thornton is a good voice actor but what he dose is a pretty much a turn off.

    shadow lines

    this is probably the worst actor I've heard in a game: Shahdee (Prince of Persia: Warrior Within) annoying boss that has power moves, kick you the other side of the room and half your health is gone. Alicyn Packard is voice actor.

    Shahdee fight

    I don't know think this is best voice acting I've heard but I really enjoy the dark prince from POP the two thrones, I don't know who voice the character.

    Dark Prince boss fight

    Joel (the last of us, troy baker) has been the last best voice I heard:

    jeol the last of us

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