All Those Guilty Pleasure Games Don’t Get Enough Respect

You know, I'm not even sure why we call them "guilty pleasures." If this hobby is all about entertainment, how can the games that make us smile also make us feel guilty?

Okay, so it's true that in order for a title to qualify for the label of "guilty pleasure," it has to be sorta low-brow or pandering in some way. And chances are, it isn't of the same quality as other more polished productions out there. So maybe that's why we feel a little embarrassed for enjoying these lower-end games as much as we do.

But seriously, we should pay respect where respect is due. If the game made you keep coming back for more, if you played it because you desperately needed to relax and unwind, and if you always had a super fun time, then why feel guilty? Yeah, I played Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball quite a bit. I actually did like the volleyball but beyond that, it was just utterly relaxing in every possible way; I had this private little island resort and it was always beautiful and always filled with beautiful people. There was a pool and a beach and even a jungle. There were hot chicks in swimsuits who always seemed a tweak away from getting together in a variety of…interesting ways.

So? It was a game that let me unwind after a tough day. I remember Tecmo saying it was designed to be a "leisure experience" and that's precisely what it was. And I'm sure there are quite a few games out there that have done the same for other people; games that didn't go over well with critics, games that you might not want to admit to owning. But when alone, you turn to them knowing full well that they have exactly what you need. So please, a little respect. Let's pay homage to that fantastically delicious piece of entertainment known as the "guilty pleasure."