
There are many things in videogames that get me angry from time to time: camera angles, difficulty, or just plain unfairness. There is one thing that seems to be a common occurrence between many games that gets me the angriest. Water levels. Whether it be Super Mario World, Sonic the Hedgehog, or even newer games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, I absolutely DESPISE any level involving a body of water. Most of the time, these levels are completely pointless and have no major significance to the storyline of the game or how it progresses. They're filler, and it's always driven me nuts.
Super Mario World Water
level difficulty: 6/10
Annoyance factor: Moderately annoying
In Super Mario World for the SNES, some of my fondest memories include beating Bowser at the end of his castle, getting through Star Road, and DYING FROM THE GIANT FISH IN THE SWIMMING LEVEL. As a little kid, 5 or 6 years old, there is no way that I could even fathom winning this level; jumping over and outrunning this giant fish to the end of the level was simply out of my league. Even today this task is daunting and simply lacking anything that could be remotely construed as "fun." Drown in further analysis after the jump!
Sonic the Hedgehog Water
level difficulty: 8/10
Annoyance factor: Hella annoying
Oh boy, don't even get me started. Just yesterday I picked up Sonic the Hedgehog (on my Sonic Mega Collection game), and just ran through the game, easily defeating all the bosses. That is until I got to the 4th act, Hydrocity Zone. Mario can breathe underwater; why the hell can't Sonic?? I lost four lives in this level before getting overwhelmed with anger, tossing my Wavebird to the ground, and jamming the power button on my Cube.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Water
level dificulty: 7/10
Annoyance factor: Jesus effing Christ, I'm going to break my N64!
The Water Temple, as many of you will remember, is the third temple when you are grown-up Link in Ocarina of Time. You may also remember how god damn annoying raising and lowering the level of the water was to advance to the boss of the temple. Once you get there, after raising and lowering the level a hundred times, you find out that the boss of the level is just some dinky shyteball. The only good thing that ever came out of a water level was the fight against Shadow Link in this game --- and that occurred on land.

In my earnest opinion, there has not been a single game in which I enjoyed playing a water level; most of the time, these levels are completely pointless and offer an unwanted switch from normal gameplay. What do our readers think?