The dysfunctionality of Game, Game, Game, and Again Game is interesting because for most intents and purposes the game is functional. At its core, it follows the general structure of a platformer- a game in which a player controls a character and must jump between platforms to reach an endpoint and pass a variety of different levels. The Mario franchise is a notable example of a platformer. It has all the mechanics of a typical platformer: A 2D player character, albeit this one is a bit abstract; enemies that kill you and force you to restart the level; teleportation mechanics; and even a score at the top. There are even collectibles, reminiscent of coins or other gatherable items, although here touching one displays text. Top it off with 13 different levels, and it has all the makings of a solid game. However, despite the functionality of the game itself, I think you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who would describe it as such.
The dysfunctionality, rather, comes from the presentation of the game. The player is inundated with a variety of overlapping and overwritten text, messy graphics, and a cacophony of sounds. The game clearly plays with ludic dysfunctionality, demonstrating an overwhelming extreme of the platformer genre. However, this is not the only form of dysfunctionality at work. One of the things this game was reminiscent of, for me at least, was a manifesto by some overzealous radical. Each level had its own distinct theme and broadly focuses on “belief systems from consumerism to monotheism” (Game, Game, Game, and Game Again about section). This, then, lends the game to fall under the definition of political dysfunctionality. However, the player is so overwhelmed that it is very difficult to read or even focus on the text that appears. Making it largely ineffective in this sense.
While I do believe that both of these dysfunctionalities are at work here, I don’t think the game takes itself too seriously. If you make it to the end of the game, the author has a little note thanking you for playing, but he expresses surprise that you played long enough to finish it. The point of the game, I would argue, then, is not to actually incite any kind of political change or call attention to the platformer genre, but to rather provide an experience.