Why Games Like Trombone Champ Are Meant To Be Played Badly

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Trombone Champ has become a hit on social media and among Let's Play or streamers, but arguably only because players aren't meant to be good at it. Once it became a viral sensation, Trombone Champ explodedin popularity on Steam, and developer Holy Wow Studios shared its gratitude with the gaming community. Its viral status stems from the earliest posts that shared finicky trombone-controlling gameplay and comical, often surreal visuals.

Trombone Champ isn't alone; it is just the latest game in a growing genre that seems to revel in impossible gameplay. For example, developer Bossa Studios has a storied history with indie games like Surgeon Simulator, I Am Bread, and I Am Fish, which all reflect the same absurd premises and finicky controls that made otherwise straightforward titles intensely entertaining. These can be mastered with enough time, patience, and luck, but for games like Trombone Champ, this isn't the point. It speaks to a different niche of players that traditional games can often overlook.

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While most developers would set out to create an immersive experience complemented by characters and lore, there are games that don't take themselves so seriously. Though this doesn't always garner critical acclaim, games that embrace the silliness of their premise can be positively received. For instance, games like Octodad: Dadliest Catch succeed by making the absurdity a core part of its story and gameplay. Likewise, Trombone Champ was never meant to be taken seriously.

At face value, it's clear Trombone Champ was going to be an odd game. From the Mii-like avatars to bizarre in-game visuals, it broadcasts absurdity. When the gameplay actually