Awful Video Game Debacle: Over 50 Horrific Flops Rated for Entertainment
On this list, you'll find some of the most infamous gaming trainwrecks ever made. From controls that make you want to hurl your controller in frustration to graphics so laughable they're hard to believe, these games define "epic fail." Let's take a walk down Memory Lane to revisit these truly terrible titles.
Key Takeaways
The 1982 Atari 2600 game E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was such a flop that millions of unsold cartridges were buried in a New Mexico landfill, contributing to the 1983 video game crash.
Some of the worst games ever made include:
- Custer's Revenge (1982): A controversial game with offensive plot and poor quality.
- Superman 64 (1999): With extremely low Metacritic scores and gameplay that's nearly unplayable, it's synonymous with terrible gaming experiences.
- Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing (2003): Famous for being one of the worst games ever made due to glitches and poor gameplay.
The 1980s: Main Stinkers
The 1980s saw some real gaming disasters. Here are a few flops that left players disenchanted and publishers embarrassed.
Custer's Revenge
Released in 1982, Custer's Revenge stands as one of gaming's most infamous failures. This Atari 2600 title features an offensive plot where players control a naked General Custer attempting to rape a Native American woman. GameSpy labeled it the "most shameful game of all time," while PC World and GameTrailers ranked it the third-worst game ever.
Pac-Man (Atari 2600)
Pac-Man for the Atari 2600 hit shelves in 1982, disappointing fans with its poor arcade conversion, flickering visuals, and subpar graphics. Rushed development led to a lackluster product, contributing to the 1983 video game crash.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. bombed hard, with confusing gameplay and glitches instantly earning it a spot among gaming's infamous flops. Rumor has it that millions of unsold cartridges were buried in a landfill in New Mexico.
The 1990s: Massive Failures
The 90s saw several epic gaming disasters. These titles left players frustrated and critics cringing.
Action 52
Released in 1991, Action 52 stands as a notorious example of gaming failure. This NES cartridge promised 52 unique games but delivered disaster, with poor controls, glitchy graphics, and unplayable content. Rushed development led to this epic mess.
Night Trap (1992)
Night Trap sparked controversy in 1992 with its full-motion video gameplay. This Sega CD title featured live actors in a campy horror setting. It ignited Senate hearings on video game violence and paved the way for the ESRB rating system.
The Legend of Zelda Releases on Philips CD-i (1993-1994)
Philips released three Legend of Zelda games on CD-i, starring Link on a nonsensical quest with poor graphics and gameplay. Despite their commercial failure, they became cult classics for all the wrong reasons.
The 2000s: Big Disappointments
The 2000s saw some monumental gaming letdowns. From high-profile disappointments to broken controls, this decade had it all.
Final Fantasy XIV (2010)
Massively disappointing at launch, Square Enix's MMORPG received dismal Metacritic scores and forced a complete overhaul. Despite improvement, it still stands as controversial.
Mortal Kombat: Special Forces (2000)
This action-adventure title stands as a low point in the Mortal Kombat franchise, with poor camera angles, unbalanced gameplay, and poorly designed stages.
Batman: Dark Tomorrow (2003)
Fans hoped for a gritty, comic-inspired adventure – instead, they got clunky controls, a frustrating camera, and confusing level design. The game's Metacritic scores plummeted to 46%.
The 2010s and Beyond: Modern Flops
The 2010s saw several major gaming disasters. Technical issues, poor gameplay, and glitches dominated modern gaming's strong contenders for worst titles ever.
Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013)
Despite high expectations, Aliens: Colonial Marines bombed spectacularly. The game had game-breaking bugs and subpar graphics. Fans were left feeling betrayed and disappointed.
No Man's Sky (2016)
Widely hyped pre-release, No Man's Sky failed to deliver on promises, with limited gameplay variety, missing features, and multiplayer options non-existent. The backlash led to soul-searching in the gaming industry.
Star Wars Battlefront II (2017)
EA's loot box system prompted harsh criticism, forcing last-minute changes before launch. Despite stunning visuals and improved gameplay, Battlefront II's reputation took a hit.
Fallout 76 (2018)
Bethesda's multiplayer take on the post-apocalyptic franchise faced backlash for its buggy gameplay and glitches. Fans questioned the decision to release an unfinished game.
Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
Cyberpunk 2077 crashed onto the gaming scene with immediate backlash for its buggy launch on last-gen consoles. Many players encountered serious graphical glitches, bizarre character models, and game-breaking bugs. Pre-orders were high, but reviews were not.
References
- https://www.pcworld.com/article/3111783/et-the-extra-terrestrial-the-best-worst-game-of-all-time.html
- https://www.pcgamer.com/best-worst-video-games-ever/8432
- https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/613575-pac-man/28473631
People Also Ask
- What are some games that are often considered the worst ever made?
- Some notoriously bad games include Superman 64, E.T. for Atari, Aliens: Colonial Marines, and Cyberpunk 2077.
- Are there any examples of controversial games that sparked moral debates?
- Night Trap, made in 1992, stirred controversy with its full-motion video gameplay featuring live actors in a violent setting. The game led to Senate hearings on video game violence and paved the way for the ESRB rating system.
- Are there any examples of games that were initially disappointing but later became beloved cult classics?
- Some titles gained cult status despite poor initial reception. Streets of Rage 2, for example, was initially dismissed but later gained a passionate following, lauded for its gameplay and soundtrack.
- Are there any common reasons why video games are deemed bad?
- Common reasons include poor controls, terrible graphics, glitches, unfinished gameplay mechanics, and broken promises about content (e.g., missing features, lack of promised game modes, lack of promised multiplayer support).
- How can game developers avoid creating bad games?
- Developers can avoid making bad games by setting realistic project deadlines, focusing on core gameplay mechanics before adding extra features, testing thoroughly during development, and listening to feedback during playtesting.
- Movies and TV shows about video games didn't always hit the mark, with examples like the infamous 1993 movie Super Mario Bros. and the 2003 live-action film Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.
- Pop-culture enthusiasts often discuss the worst game-to-movie adaptations in the entertainment industry, with references to the poor quality of movies based on games such as Prince of Persia (2010) and Assassin's Creed (2016).
- General news outlets regularly cover crime and justice stories related to accidents, including investigations into the responsibility of game developers and manufacturers for car accidents caused by playing games with distracted driving.
- Additionally, sports news often touch upon instances of crime and justice within the American football scene, such as the 2012 NFL controversy over the handling of domestic violence cases involving players like Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson.
- Furthermore, crime and justice news can intersect with sports in the context of football, as evidenced by the infamous 1974 kidnapping of 25-year-old Heidi Fleiss, the Hollywood madam, who was abducted and held hostage by a group of football players associated with the San Francisco 49ers.
