I definitely think the broader context is important when examining whether Desert Bus is “good” or not. You’re right, as a piece of interactive artwork seen in the context of the early-90s violent videogame debates, it’s pretty great. It’s even great as a prank minigame, which is the context it’s most prominently given within the Smoke and Mirrors product itself. However, I think it’s a successful piece of art by being a truly abysmal game to play. I don’t think it’s really accurate to call it the worst videogame ever, but it does seem to be one of the most intentionally terrible ones ever made (I think Ze Frank’s Atheism might beat it out for the brevity of the experience). “Worst” is really more suited for games that are broken in spite of their earnestness, like E.T., or Aliens: Colonial Marines, or whatever Steam Greenlight detritus washes up on the shore every week.
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