The mad scientist is an enduring trope in fiction. The archetype's roots can be found in ambitious scholars like the eponymous Dr. Faustus in Christopher Marlow's 16th-century play and in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The emergence of cinema created a new landscape for nefarious investigations to be dramatized, from B-movies like Bela Lugosi's The Devil Bat (1940) to modern classics like Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer.
Video games aren't immune to appearances from fiendish scientists either. Whether these villainous researchers are committing bizarre experiments for some perceived greater good, to create a utopia, or simply just to be evil, gamers have plenty of chances to combat their dangerous schemes.
8 Dr. Robotnik (Sonic The Hedgehog)
It's difficult to imagine the cartoonish Dr. Robotnik (or Eggman, as he's often known) putting in the work to earn a Ph.D. Nonetheless, he has found the time—in between stealing Chaos Emeralds, causing players to drop their rings, and clashing with a certain blue hedgehog.
Robotnik's engineering talents allow him to create dangerous machine armies with the goal of ruling the world. He may not be one of gaming's most complex characters, but he surely ranks among its most iconic, whether in his original sprite form or played by Jim Carrey in the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog.
7 Paul Serene (Quantum Break)
Remedy Entertainment's 2016 action-adventure game is built on the foundations established by the company's earlier Alan Wake, combining a time travel narrative with an all-star cast of talent. Notable names included Lance Reddick and Dominic Monaghan, but Aiden Gillen of Game of Thrones fame arguably took top billing as scientist Paul Serene.
Serene, whose temporal experiments leave him with precognitive abilities, clashes with the game's protagonist, Jack Joyce. The two former friends have opposing agendas concerning how to deal with the so-called end of time. Gamers can play as Serene during certain sections of Quantum Break, offering new perspectives.
6 Mewtwo's Creators (Pokemon)
The genetically modified Mewtwo remains one of the Pokemon franchise's most famous figures, due in part to his memorable (albeit not to Ash) appearance in 1998's Pokemon: The First Movie. A deleted introduction to the film shows the details of Mewtwo's creation in a lab by the bereaved Dr. Fuji, who hopes to gain mastery over the power of life and death in order to resurrect his daughter.
In-game, Mewtwo's origins are a little more obscure. Scientific papers written by an anonymous Pokemon researcher on Cinnabar Island reveal a fragmented tale of this Legendary Pokemon's creation. Regardless of the fine details, one thing is clear from both sources—Mewtwo is too powerful for any scientist to control.
5 Mr. Freeze (Batman: Arkham City)
Batman villain Mr. Freeze (formally Dr. Victor Fries) is driven by a single-minded desire to cure his wife, Nora, of a rare illness. This sets the Batman: Arkham City character apart from many other video game doctors, who simply cause chaos to help themselves. Mr. Freeze may eschew law and order in pursuit of his goal, but his motivations are honorable.
Despite his bad guy status, Mr. Freeze works with Batman in Arkham City to create a cure for a virus incubating in the Joker's bloodstream. Mr. Freeze's evident monomania may result in criminal actions, but his placement in Batman's rogue's gallery is as a victim of circumstance rather than as a malevolent threat.
4 J.S. Steinman (Bioshock)
Talented cosmetic surgeon J.S. Steinman is invited into the underwater civilization of Rapture by its creator, Andrew Ryan. Rapture is envisaged as a utopia free from government oversight. Initially, this freedom leads to scientific advances, such as the discovery of ADAM, a potent gene-altering substance that Steinman hopes to use in his own work.
However, excessive exposure to ADAM corrupts Steinman. He begins to experiment upon and mutilate his patients, becoming obsessed with beautifying those under his care—with grisly results. The self-proclaimed flesh sculptor becomes a butcher, embodying the downfall of Rapture.
3 Dr. Warren Vidic (Assassin's Creed)
When Assassin's Creed released in 2007, few fans probably predicted that it would kickstart a franchise with over a dozen of mainline games and spin-offs. Part of its success can be attributed to the gameplay and central Assassins versus Templars conflict, but the worldbuilding of the games also deserves credit.
Central to the world of Assassin's Creed is the Animus, a device allowing individuals to relive the memories of their ancestors. Present-day protagonist Desmond Miles is forced to use the Animus by Dr. Warren Vidic, a mad scientist working for the authoritarian Templars. Vidic aims to locate artifacts of immense power through Desmond's historical experiences, enabling the Templars to best their old enemy.
2 Albert Wesker (Resident Evil)
Albert Wesker may look a little silly with his too-cool-for-school shades and leather coat, but the genius virologist should not be underestimated. The Resident Evil bio-weapons specialist combines a chilly persona with ruthless perfectionism, while his association with the shady Umbrella Corporation results in some of the company's deadliest products, including biological mutagens.
Wesker's unethical research is more than enough to earn him a reputation as a mad scientist, but it is only one aspect of his twisted personality. He genuinely believes (or claims to believe) that his work is in humanity's best interests. What's more, he is always ready to betray his employers in return for a better offer somewhere else.
1 Vault-Tec Corporation (Fallout)
There are singular mad scientists, and then there are whole companies full of mad scientists. The Fallout franchise would not be the same without Vault-Tec, a nefarious organization that, on behalf of the US Government, creates fallout shelters, or Vaults, throughout the country. At first glance, Vault-Tec's efforts to preserve life from Armageddon seem noble enough, but this apparent good deed hides a darker purpose.
As well as protecting their occupants, the Vaults serve as Petri dishes for Vault-Tec's nightmarish experiments. Some Vaults are used to test deadly viruses, some feature deliberate overpopulation or too few resources, while yet another places its population in a horrific VR simulation. One Vault is even purposefully faulty so that radiation can get in, allowing scientists to study its effects on the Vault's occupants. Next time a Vault-Tec Rep arrives at the door, think hard before agreeing to sign up for their service.