Worst Video Games Of All Time: 50+ Epic Fails Ranked For Fun

Video games can be epic adventures or total disasters. Some games fail so badly, they become legendary. E.T. for Atari 2600 was such a flop, it contributed to the 1983 video game crash.

Millions of unsold cartridges were buried in a New Mexico landfill. ²

As a lifelong gamer and industry critic, I’ve played countless titles across generations of consoles. This list ranks over 50 of gaming’s biggest blunders. From broken controls to laughable graphics, these games define “epic fail.” Ready for a walk down memory lane? Let’s revisit some truly terrible titles. ¹

Criteria for Ranking Worst Video Games

Ranking worst video games involves several key factors. Low Metacritic scores, both from critics and users, serve as a primary indicator – games with ratings below 30/100 often make the cut. ¹ Glitches, poor gameplay mechanics, and subpar graphics contribute heavily to a game’s infamy. Games that fail to deliver on hype or drastically underperform expectations also land on these lists.

Cultural impact plays a role too. Some titles, like E.T. for Atari 2600, are infamous for nearly crashing the industry. ² Others, such as Superman 64, have become synonymous with terrible gaming experiences.

Interestingly, even in an era of immersive VR and free slots with bonus and free spins, these notorious games continue to fascinate the gaming community as cautionary tales of development gone wrong.

Infamous Video Games of the 1980s

The 1980s saw some real stinkers in video games. These flops left players frustrated and publishers red-faced.

Custer’s Revenge (1982)

Custer’s Revenge, released in 1982, stands as one of gaming’s most notorious failures. This Atari 2600 title featured an offensive plot where players controlled 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. ³

American Multiple Industries (AMI) developed and published this controversial game, selling about 80,000 copies before discontinuing it in January 1983. Despite its short lifespan, Custer’s Revenge left a lasting stain on video game history. ⁴ Its poor quality and deeply problematic content serve as a prime example of early gaming’s ethical missteps.

Custer’s Revenge isn’t just bad, it’s offensively, aggressively bad in ways that still shock today.

Pac-Man for the Atari 2600 (1982)

Pac-Man for the Atari 2600 hit shelves in 1982, disappointing fans with its poor arcade conversion. ⁶ The game’s flickering visuals and subpar graphics left players frustrated. Rushed development led to a lackluster product that failed to capture the magic of the original. ⁵

This botched release contributed to the 1983 video game crash. Atari produced more cartridges than consoles sold, resulting in a massive surplus of unsold copies. The game’s failure marked a turning point in the industry, highlighting the risks of rushed, low-quality releases.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial for Atari 2600 bombed hard. Its rushed development led to confusing gameplay and glitches, making it a prime example of ‘shovelware’. Rumor has it that millions of unsold cartridges were buried in a landfill in New Mexico.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1988)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde hit the NES in 1988. Initial reviews praised it, but gamers soon discovered its flaws. ² The graphics disappointed, and the gameplay confused players. Time hasn’t been kind to this title.

A classic tale turned into a confusing game nightmare.

Critics now blast it as one of the worst NES games ever made. Its poor controls and bizarre level design left players frustrated. The game’s attempt to adapt the famous story fell flat, creating a muddled mess of platforming and action elements. ⁷

Notable Video Game Failures of the 1990s

The 90s saw some epic gaming disasters. These flops left players frustrated and critics cringing.

Action 52 (1991)

Action 52, released in 1991, stands as a notorious example of gaming failure. This NES cartridge promised 52 unique games but delivered a disaster. Poor controls, glitchy graphics, and unplayable content plagued nearly every title. ⁸Rushed development led to disastrous results. The entire project was completed in just three months, resulting in shoddy programming and untested gameplay. Accusations of scamming consumers followed, with many feeling cheated by the $199 price tag.

Plans for a Genesis port never materialized, leaving this epic fail confined to Nintendo’s 8-bit console. ²

Night Trap (1992)

Night Trap sparked controversy in 1992 with its full-motion video gameplay. This Sega CD game featured live actors in a campy horror setting. Players protected teenage girls from vampires by activating traps. ¹⁰

Night Trap took an unexpected path to notoriety. – Tom Zito, Digital Pictures founder

Night Trap’s content led to Senate hearings on video game violence. The ESRB rating system emerged as a result. Despite initial backlash, Night Trap gained a cult following. ⁹ The next game on our list, Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties, took interactive storytelling in an equally bizarre direction.

Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties (1993)

Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties (1993) bombed spectacularly on the 3DO system. ² This interactive movie game faced harsh criticism for its bizarre storyline and poor voice acting. Players control John, a plumber, as he pursues Jane in a surreal and sexist plot.

The game’s commercial failure contributed to the 3DO’s demise. ¹¹

Surprisingly, a re-release was announced in 2021 and hit shelves in 2024. ² This move puzzled many gamers, given the original’s notorious reputation. Night Trap (1992) also stirred controversy in the early ’90s, but for different reasons.

The Legend of Zelda Releases on Philips CD-i (1993-1994)

The Legend of Zelda CD-i games shocked fans with their departure from traditional gameplay. Philips released three titles: Faces of Evil, Wand of Gamelon, and Zelda’s Adventure. These games featured subpar animated cutscenes and voice acting, straying far from the beloved Nintendo formula.

Despite their commercial failure, they’ve become cult classics… for all the wrong reasons. ¹²

Zelda’s CD-i outings stand as prime examples of how not to handle a beloved franchise. The games’ poor quality stems from rushed development and a lack of Nintendo’s oversight. Fans often cite these releases as some of the worst in gaming history, serving as cautionary tales for future licensed adaptations. ¹³

Hotel Mario (1994)

Hotel Mario, released in 1994 for the Philips CD-i, stands as a notorious failure in gaming history. ² This puzzle game featured Mario closing doors to trap Koopas, with clunky controls and bizarre cutscenes.

Critics lambasted its simplistic gameplay and poorly animated cinematics. ¹⁴

Nice of the princess to invite us over for a picnic, eh Luigi?

The game’s voice acting became a source of internet memes, cementing its place in gaming infamy. Moving on to another infamous title, Shaq Fu also hit shelves in 1994….

Shaq Fu (1994)

Shaq Fu (1994) stands as a notorious fighting game flop. Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal lent his likeness to this bizarre title, where he battles martial artists in alternate dimensions.

Critics panned its clunky controls and bizarre premise. ¹⁵ Despite its commercial failure, Shaq Fu gained cult status among collectors. A website dedicated to destroying copies emerged, fueling its infamy.

The game’s mixed reception and low difficulty further cemented its place in video game history. ¹⁶ Moving on to another 90s gaming disaster, let’s explore Bubsy 3D (1996).

Bubsy 3D (1996)

Bubsy 3D hit PlayStation in 1996, crashing hard. Critics slammed its clunky controls, disorienting camera, and poor graphics. ¹⁷ Players struggled with basic movement and platforming.

The game’s attempt at 3D fell flat, lacking polish and playability. Bubsy 3D quickly earned a spot among gaming’s worst flops.

Game designers learned harsh lessons from this bobcat’s misadventure. It showed the pitfalls of rushing into 3D without proper tech or design. Bubsy 3D became a cautionary tale in the industry, highlighting the importance of smooth controls and camera work in 3D platformers. ¹⁸

Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997)

Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997) marked a disastrous shift for the franchise. This side-scrolling action game ditched the series’ iconic 1-on-1 fights for clunky platforming.

Players struggled with Sub-Zero’s stiff controls and imprecise jumps. Critics panned its frustrating gameplay and confusing level design. ¹⁹

Despite its ambitious concept, the game failed to deliver on multiple fronts. It lacked the fluid combat and gore that fans loved. The live-action cutscenes felt cheap and out of place.

Even die-hard Mortal Kombat enthusiasts couldn’t salvage this misguided spin-off. ²⁰ Next up, we’ll explore another fighting game flop that left players feeling less than super.

Superman 64 (1999)

Following Mortal Kombat’s misstep, Superman 64 swooped in… and crashed. This N64 game earned infamy for its awful controls, repetitive gameplay, and bizarre fog-filled Metropolis. ²¹ Players struggled through endless ring-flying sequences and glitchy missions. GameTrailers dubbed it the worst game ever, while Nintendo Power called it the worst on a Nintendo platform. ² Lex Luthor’s virtual reality trap wasn’t just for Superman – it ensnared disappointed gamers too.

Major Video Game Flops of the 2000s

The 2000s saw some epic gaming fails. From buggy releases to overhyped duds, this decade had it all.

Mortal Kombat: Special Forces (2000)

Mortal Kombat: Special Forces (2000) stands as a low point in the franchise. This action-adventure game departed from the series’ fighting roots, resulting in clunky gameplay and poor camera angles.

Critics panned its repetitive combat, uninspired level design, and lackluster graphics. ²²

Players controlled Jax in a prequel story set before the first Mortal Kombat tournament. The game’s attempt to expand the MK universe fell flat, with weak storytelling and voice acting. ²³ Its commercial failure led Midway to cancel a planned PlayStation 2 port, cementing its status as a forgettable entry in the beloved fighting game series.

The Simpsons Wrestling (2001)

The Simpsons Wrestling (2001) stands as a prime example of a licensed game gone wrong. Fox Interactive and Big Ape Productions created this PlayStation title, hoping to cash in on the popularity of both The Simpsons and wrestling.

The game flopped spectacularly. Critics tore into its unbalanced gameplay, clunky controls, and bizarre character animations. Players struggled with nonsensical mechanics and a severe lack of depth. ²⁵

Despite the disaster, one aspect received praise – the audio. The game featured authentic voice acting from the show’s cast, including Dan Castellaneta and Nancy Cartwright. This small silver lining couldn’t save the game from its fate.

The Simpsons Wrestling earned abysmal review scores, with many outlets giving it 1 or 2 out of 10. It’s now considered one of the worst PlayStation games ever made and a black mark on The Simpsons’ video game legacy. ²⁴

Mortal Kombat Advance (2001)

From wrestling to fighting… Mortal Kombat Advance hit Game Boy Advance in 2001. ²⁶ This portable version of the iconic fighter fell flat. Players faced slow gameplay, choppy graphics, and unresponsive controls.

Critics panned it, giving a dismal 33/100 on Metacritic. ² CPU issues plagued the game, making AI opponents frustratingly difficult. Fans expecting arcade-quality kombat got a watered-down mess instead.

Batman: Dark Tomorrow (2003)

Batman: Dark Tomorrow (2003) bombed spectacularly on GameCube and Xbox. Critics slammed its clunky controls, frustrating camera, and confusing level design. ²⁷ With a dismal 29% Metacritic score, it’s considered one of the worst Batman games ever made.

Fans hoped for a gritty, comic-inspired adventure but got a mess instead. The game’s only redeeming qualities? Decent graphics and cinematics… which couldn’t save it from disaster. ²⁸ Next up: another superhero flop that left players feeling anything but super.

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003) bombed hard. Core Design rushed this PS2 game out unfinished. Bugs plagued the gameplay. Controls felt clunky and frustrating. The story veered from classic Tomb Raider exploration into a confusing urban thriller. ³⁰

Critics panned it. Fans rejected it. Eidos yanked the franchise from Core Design after this flop. Crystal Dynamics took over, rebooting Lara Croft’s adventures. The Angel of Darkness became a cautionary tale in game development – don’t ship before it’s ready. ²⁹

Drake of the 99 Dragons (2003)

Drake of the 99 Dragons (2003) hit gaming platforms with a thud. This Xbox and PC title scored a dismal 22 on Metacritic, earning it a spot among the worst games ever. ³¹ Players slammed its clunky controls and frustrating gameplay.

The game’s attempt at stylish action fell flat, leaving gamers struggling with basic movements and combat.

Critics and fans alike panned Drake’s adventure. ³² Its cel-shaded graphics failed to mask fundamental flaws in design and execution. The game’s ambitious dual-wielding gun mechanics proved more annoying than innovative.

Despite aiming for cool factor, Drake of the 99 Dragons became a cautionary tale in rushed development and poor quality control.

Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing (2003)

Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing (2003) stands as a monument to gaming failure. This truck racing game, developed by Stellar Stone, earned a dismal 8/100 on Metacritic – one of the lowest scores ever. ³⁴ Players faced a broken mess: no collision detection, opponents that didn’t move, and the ability to drive through mountains. ³³

Critics lambasted Big Rigs for its unfinished state and lack of actual gameplay. The game became infamous for its “You’re Winner!” victory screen, complete with grammatical error. Its reputation as one of the worst games ever made persists, serving as a cautionary tale in video game development. ³³

Lula 3D (2005)

Lula 3D (2005) crashed and burned as an adult-themed adventure game. Critics panned its awful graphics, buggy gameplay, and cringe-worthy dialogue. Jolt Online Gaming slammed it with a 1.8/10 score, cementing its place among gaming’s biggest failures. ³⁵ The game’s attempt at mature content backfired spectacularly, leaving players frustrated and disgusted. ²

Next up, we’ll explore another notorious flop that tried to reinvent a classic franchise…

Ninjabread Man (2005)

Ninjabread Man (2005) stands out as a colossal failure in gaming history. This Wii title earned a dismal 1.5/10 from IGN, cementing its place among the worst games ever. ² Players criticized its poor gameplay, repetitive levels, and subpar graphics and audio.

The game’s premise – a ninja gingerbread man fighting evil pastries – couldn’t save it from its fundamental flaws. ³⁶

Next up, we’ll look at another infamous game that left players disappointed: Bomberman: Act Zero (2006).

Bomberman: Act Zero (2006)

Bomberman: Act Zero (2006) bombed hard. This Xbox 360 reboot ditched the cute, colorful aesthetic for a gritty, post-apocalyptic vibe. Fans hated it. Critics panned its repetitive gameplay, dull visuals, and lack of multiplayer options.

Metacritic score? A dismal 34. The game stripped away everything that made Bomberman fun and unique.

Konami’s attempt to “mature” the franchise backfired spectacularly. Act Zero stands as one of the worst entries in the series. Its failure serves as a cautionary tale about mishandling beloved IPs. ³⁸ Next up, we’ll look at another major gaming disappointment from the mid-2000s….

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) crashed and burned on Xbox 360 and PS3. Critics savaged its glitchy gameplay, wonky camera, and frustrating controls. Metacritic scores plummeted to 46% and 43% respectively. ² Fans and reviewers alike dubbed it one of gaming’s biggest disasters. ³⁹ The once-beloved blue blur’s reputation took a massive hit, leaving Sega scrambling to salvage the franchise.

Next up, we’ll explore another major letdown from the mid-2000s.

Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust (2009)

Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust (2009) marked a low point for the once-popular series. This adventure game scored a dismal 20/100 on Metacritic, with critics slamming its gameplay and story. ⁴⁰ Players control Larry Lovage in a Hollywood studio, attempting to solve puzzles and seduce women. ⁴¹ The game’s crude humor and technical issues led to its commercial failure.

Box Office Bust’s reception contrasted sharply with earlier entries in the franchise. Its poor performance contributed to the series’ decline and raised questions about the future of adult-themed games.

The next major video game flop of the 2000s, Stalin vs. Martians, would prove equally controversial but for different reasons.

Stalin vs. Martians (2009)

From one disastrous game to another, we move from Larry’s failed comedy to Soviet sci-fi absurdity. Stalin vs. Martians (2009) – a real-time strategy parody game – bombed spectacularly.

It scored a dismal 23.41% on GameRankings and 25% on Metacritic. ² Critics lambasted its poor gameplay and subpar graphics. The game’s attempt at humor fell flat, leaving players frustrated rather than amused.

Its bizarre premise of Josef Stalin fighting alien invaders didn’t translate into engaging gameplay or memorable moments. ⁴²

Rogue Warrior (2009)

From Stalin vs. Martians’ bizarre alien invasion, we move to another critically panned title. Rogue Warrior (2009) stands out as one of the worst first-person shooters ever made. Bethesda Softworks published this game based on the life of former Navy SEAL Richard Marcinko, but it failed spectacularly.

GameSpot rated it 2.0/10, while IGN gave it a dismal 1.4/10. Players slammed its clunky controls, dated graphics, and excessive profanity. ² The game’s short campaign and buggy multiplayer mode further cemented its place among the worst PC games of all time. ⁴³

High Expectations, Major Disappointments of the 2010s

The 2010s saw some of gaming’s biggest letdowns. From overhyped releases to buggy launches, this decade had it all.

Final Fantasy XIV (2010)

Final Fantasy XIV (2010) crashed hard at launch. Square Enix’s MMORPG scored a dismal 49/100 on Metacritic. ⁴⁵ Fans expecting an epic online adventure got buggy gameplay and subpar graphics instead.

The game’s poor reception forced a complete overhaul.

Square Enix took drastic action to save their flagship MMO. They brought in Naoki Yoshida to lead a massive redesign effort. This resulted in “A Realm Reborn” in 2013 – a vastly improved version that won back players and critics alike. ⁴⁴

Power Gig: Rise of the SixString (2010)

From one failed attempt to revitalize a franchise to another misguided effort in the music game genre…

Power Gig: Rise of the SixString aimed to revolutionize guitar games. It flopped spectacularly. The game scored a dismal 36/100 on Metacritic. Critics blasted its failure to teach actual guitar basics. ⁴⁶ Players found the gameplay clunky and unintuitive. Despite using a real six-string controller, Power Gig lacked depth in both music instruction and entertainment value. ⁴⁷.

Postal III (2011)

Postal III (2011) bombed hard. This third installment in the controversial series scored a dismal 24/100 on Metacritic. ² Fans and critics alike slammed its buggy gameplay and subpar graphics.

The game abandoned the open-world format of its predecessor, opting for linear levels that felt restrictive and boring.

Running Wild’s attempt to revive the franchise fell flat. ⁴⁸ Postal III’s crude humor missed the mark, and technical issues plagued the experience. The game’s poor reception led to its removal from digital storefronts.

This massive flop nearly killed the Postal series. Next up, we’ll look at another gaming disaster from 2011.

FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction (2011)

FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction (2011) crashed and burned. This racing game skidded off course with terrible AI, uncontrollable cars, and unrealistic objectives. Players slammed into a wall of frustration as they tried to navigate through poorly designed tracks and nonsensical gameplay mechanics. ⁴⁹

Critics panned FlatOut 3 for its focus on brute force racing over skill. The game lacked the finesse and control of its predecessors, leaving fans disappointed. With abysmal reviews across the board, FlatOut 3 became a cautionary tale in the racing game genre. ⁵⁰

Infestation: Survivor Stories (2012)

Moving from FlatOut’s racing chaos, we shift gears to a zombie-filled survival nightmare. Infestation: Survivor Stories, originally titled “The War Z,” crashed onto Steam in 2012. ⁵¹ This multiplayer game promised intense zombie action but delivered a buggy, unfinished mess.

Players faced frequent disconnects, game-breaking glitches, and false advertising claims. The game’s 20% Metacritic score reflected widespread disappointment. ⁵² Despite patches, Infestation never recovered from its disastrous launch.

Servers shut down in 2016, ending this zombie apocalypse with a whimper.

SimCity (2013)

SimCity (2013) crashed and burned on launch. Maxis’s reboot of the beloved city-building franchise faced severe server issues, preventing players from accessing the game. The Glassbox engine, touted as revolutionary, failed to deliver on its promises.

Core gameplay suffered from simplified mechanics and small city sizes, frustrating long-time fans. ⁵⁴

EA’s always-online requirement for SimCity backfired spectacularly. Players encountered constant disconnects, lost progress, and hours-long queues. The game’s limitations became apparent quickly – restricted city sizes, forced multiplayer, and dumbed-down simulation aspects disappointed SimCity veterans.

Despite post-launch patches, SimCity never fully recovered from its disastrous release. ⁵³

Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013)

The Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013) disaster shook the gaming world. Gearbox Software’s highly anticipated shooter failed spectacularly, plagued by game-breaking bugs and subpar graphics. ⁵⁵ Players encountered unfinished levels, broken AI, and a campaign that bore little resemblance to promotional materials. This major disappointment left fans of the Alien franchise feeling betrayed and critics lambasting its repetitive gameplay. ⁵⁶ The game’s notorious failure led to lawsuits and became a cautionary tale in the industry. Moving on to another gaming letdown, SimCity’s 2013 release also faced significant challenges….

Ride to Hell: Retribution (2013)

Moving from Aliens: Colonial Marines to Ride to Hell: Retribution, we encounter another gaming disaster. Eutechnyx’s 2013 release faced universal criticism for its abysmal quality.

Players endured broken mechanics, glitchy graphics, and nonsensical plot elements. ⁵⁷ The game’s gratuitous scenes and poor design choices left gamers bewildered. Critics lambasted its clumsy controls and repetitive gameplay, cementing its place among the worst titles of the decade. ⁵⁸

Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons (2013)

Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons (2013) bombed spectacularly on Xbox 360. This remake of the classic beat ’em up scored a dismal 17 on Metacritic – the lowest for any Xbox 360 game. ⁵⁹ Gamers slammed its dated graphics, clunky controls, and broken gameplay. The developers’ attempt to modernize the franchise backfired, resulting in a mess that tarnished Double Dragon’s legacy.

Barebonessoft’s reimagining stripped away everything fans loved about the original. Choppy animations, unresponsive combat, and bizarre design choices plagued the experience. Critics called it an insult to the Double Dragon name. ⁶⁰ Its failure serves as a cautionary tale for lazy remakes of beloved classics.

Fighter Within (2013)

Ubisoft’s Fighter Within followed Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons as another disappointing fighting game in 2013. This Xbox One launch title relied heavily on Kinect motion controls.

Players punched and kicked in real life to execute moves in-game. Sounds cool, right? Wrong.

Fighter Within’s motion recognition proved unreliable and frustrating. Moves often didn’t register correctly, leaving players flailing ineffectively. The game’s poor controls made it nearly unplayable.

Critics panned it for its clunky gameplay and lack of depth. It stands as one of the worst-rated Xbox One games ever, cementing its place among gaming’s biggest flops. ^61 62

Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014)

Assassin’s Creed Unity hit shelves in 2014, promising revolutionary gameplay in 18th-century Paris. Ubisoft’s ambitious project faced serious technical issues at launch. Glitches, frame rate drops, and server problems plagued the game.

Players encountered bizarre visual bugs, like floating eyeballs and faceless characters. ⁶³

Despite the rough start, Unity offered impressive character customization and detailed environments. The movement system and combat mechanics received mixed reviews from critics. Patches improved performance over time, but the initial reception left a lasting mark.

Next up: Dungeon Keeper (2014) – another game that didn’t live up to expectations. ⁶⁴

Dungeon Keeper (2014)

From Assassin’s Creed Unity’s bugs to mobile gaming disappointments, Dungeon Keeper (2014) stands out as a prime example of microtransaction misuse. EA’s reboot of the beloved PC strategy game faced harsh criticism for its freemium model.

Players encountered excessive wait times or steep in-app purchases to progress, stripping away the original’s charm. The game’s aggressive monetization tactics sparked outrage among fans and critics alike. ⁶⁵ Dungeon Keeper’s mobile version scored a mere 42/100 on Metacritic, highlighting the stark contrast between its reception and the classic’s legacy. ⁶⁶

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014)

From mobile game disappointments to console catastrophes, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014) stands out as a particularly disastrous entry in the Sonic franchise. This Wii U exclusive promised a fresh take on the blue hedgehog but delivered a buggy mess.

Critics panned its technical issues, bland gameplay, and lackluster story. ⁶⁸

Rise of Lyric scored a dismal 32 on Metacritic. Fans criticized its poor graphics, glitchy physics, and departure from classic Sonic gameplay. The game’s failures led to significant financial losses for Sega and damaged the Sonic brand.

Its reception ranks among the worst in the series’ history, alongside Sonic ’06 and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for the 3DS. ⁶⁷

Alone in the Dark: Illumination (2015)

Alone in the Dark: Illumination (2015) tanked hard with gamers and critics alike. This survival horror game scored a dismal 2.5/10 on IMDb, falling flat on its face. ⁶⁹ Players slammed its clunky gameplay and subpar graphics – a far cry from the series’ glory days.

Atari’s attempt to revive the franchise backfired spectacularly. The game ditched the puzzle-solving and atmospheric tension that defined earlier entries. Instead, it offered repetitive shooting gallery segments and uninspired level design.

Fans of the original felt betrayed by this generic, action-focused reboot. ⁷⁰

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 (2015)

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 hit shelves in 2015, marking a low point for the once-beloved skateboarding franchise. Riddled with bugs and glitches, the game faced harsh criticism from both fans and critics alike.

Its poor performance and lackluster gameplay led to its dubious distinction as the “Worst Video Game of 2015.” ⁷¹

This release signaled a steep decline in the Tony Hawk series’ quality. The game’s numerous technical issues, coupled with uninspired level design and clunky controls, left players disappointed.

THPS5’s failure highlighted the challenges of reviving classic franchises in the modern gaming landscape. ⁷²

Umbrella Corps (2016)

Umbrella Corps, a spin-off of the Resident Evil series, launched in 2016 to harsh criticism. Players slammed its clunky controls, bland graphics, and broken online play. ⁷³ The game’s attempt to blend competitive multiplayer with survival horror elements fell flat, disappointing fans of the franchise.

Critics cited poor weapon balance, glitchy mechanics, and uninspired level design as major flaws. ⁷⁴ This colossal misstep in the beloved zombie-fighting series left many questioning Capcom’s direction.

Next, we’ll examine another notorious gaming letdown from the same year.

No Man’s Sky (2016)

From space combat to survival horror, video game genres are diverse. No Man’s Sky promised the ultimate space exploration experience. Hello Games’ ambitious project generated massive hype pre-release.

The game boasted 18 quintillion planets to discover. ⁷⁵

Launch day brought disappointment. Players found limited gameplay variety and missing features. Multiplayer options were non-existent, contrary to pre-release claims. The backlash was severe.

No Man’s Sky became a cautionary tale of overpromising in game marketing. ⁷⁶

Star Wars Battlefront II (2017)

Moving from space exploration to a galaxy far, far away… Star Wars Battlefront II (2017) sparked outrage among gamers. EA’s loot box system drew fierce criticism, forcing a last-minute overhaul before launch.

Players faced a massive grind to unlock iconic characters like Darth Vader. ⁷⁷ The controversy highlighted growing concerns about microtransactions and pay-to-win mechanics in AAA games.

Despite stunning visuals and improved gameplay, Battlefront II’s reputation took a hit. EA scrambled to remove premium currency and adjust progression. The backlash led to regulatory scrutiny of loot boxes in several countries. ⁷⁸ While post-launch updates improved the game, its rocky start left a lasting mark on the industry.

Fallout 76 (2018)

Fallout 76 launched in 2018 to a storm of criticism. Bethesda’s multiplayer take on the post-apocalyptic franchise faced backlash for its buggy gameplay, lack of NPCs, and server issues.

Players encountered game-breaking glitches, frequent crashes, and poor performance across PC, PS4, and Xbox One platforms.⁷⁹

The game’s reputation took further hits with controversies surrounding its collector’s edition and microtransactions. Bethesda’s attempts to fix Fallout 76 through patches and updates struggled to win back disappointed fans.⁸⁰ The next entry in our list of gaming misfires showcases another highly anticipated title that stumbled at launch.

WWE 2K20 (2019)

From wrestling rings to gaming arenas, WWE 2K20 grappled with a disastrous launch in 2019. 2K Sports’ annual wrestling game faced immediate backlash for its glitchy gameplay and numerous technical issues.

Players reported bizarre visual bugs, game-breaking crashes, and unresponsive controls. Social media platforms buzzed with clips showcasing comical glitches – wrestlers morphing through the ring or floating mid-air. ⁸¹ Critics panned the game, citing its poor quality and unfinished state. Despite patches, WWE 2K20 remains a cautionary tale in the gaming industry. ⁸²

Troubled Video Game Releases of the 2020s

The 2020s saw some major flops in gaming. Big titles crashed and burned, leaving players angry and developers scrambling.

Warcraft III: Reforged (2020)

Warcraft III: Reforged launched in 2020, disappointing fans worldwide. ⁸⁴ Blizzard Entertainment’s remaster of their classic RTS game faced harsh criticism. Players reported numerous bugs, missing features, and subpar graphics.

The game’s Metacritic user score plummeted to 0.6/10, marking it as one of the lowest-rated games on the platform.

Reforged’s release sparked controversy over Blizzard’s handling of the original Warcraft III. The company replaced the classic version with the remaster, removing access to the original game for many players.

This move, coupled with technical issues, led to widespread refund requests. Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled launch followed closely on the heels of Warcraft III: Reforged’s disastrous release. ⁸³

Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)

Cyberpunk 2077 crashed onto the gaming scene in December 2020. ⁸⁵ CD Projekt Red’s highly anticipated title faced immediate backlash for its buggy launch. The game’s performance on last-gen consoles proved abysmal, leading to refunds and removal from digital stores..

Glitches plagued the open-world RPG, from T-posing NPCs to game-breaking bugs. Despite record-breaking pre-orders, Cyberpunk 2077 failed to deliver on its promises. ⁸⁶ The fallout tarnished CD Projekt Red’s reputation and sparked industry-wide discussions on overhyping games and releasing unfinished products.

Balan Wonderworld (2021)

From one disappointing release to another, Balan Wonderworld continued the trend of letdowns in 2021. This platformer, created by Sonic Team’s Yuji Naka, failed to impress with its repetitive gameplay and lackluster design.

Critics and players alike panned the game, resulting in a Metacritic score of 51 and a user score of 5.2. ⁸⁷

Balan Wonderworld’s mixed reviews highlighted its lack of innovation and charm. The game’s 80 costumes, each granting a single ability, felt gimmicky rather than engaging. Despite its colorful visuals, the platforming mechanics fell flat, leaving players frustrated with clunky controls and uninspired level design.

Balan Company’s first major release proved a significant misstep for the once-celebrated Yuji Naka. ⁸⁸

eFootball 2022 (2021)

eFootball 2022 launched as a free-to-play disaster. Konami’s attempt to rebrand Pro Evolution Soccer flopped hard, with glitchy gameplay and bizarre graphics. Players faced laggy online matches, broken controls, and a severe lack of content at release. ²

Critics slammed eFootball 2022 for its poor execution and aggressive monetization. The game’s Metacritic score plummeted to 25/100 on PS5, making it one of the worst-rated titles of 2021.

Konami apologized and delayed major updates, but the damage was done. ⁸⁹

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition (2021)

From one remastered disappointment to another… Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition hit shelves on November 11, 2021. ⁹⁰ Rockstar Games’ attempt to modernize three classic titles fell flat.

Fans expected polished graphics and smooth gameplay. They got buggy messes instead.

Technical flaws plagued the release. Glitches, frame rate drops, and bizarre character models frustrated players. Critics slammed the poor quality control. The game’s mixed reviews reflected its failure to meet expectations. ² Rockstar’s reputation took a hit, proving even beloved franchises can stumble.

Battlefield 2042 (2021)

Moving from Rockstar’s remastered fiasco to EA’s multiplayer mishap… Battlefield 2042 crashed and burned. EA’s shooter landed with a thud on Steam, earning a “Mostly Negative” rating from 36,000 users. ⁹¹ The game stumbled out of the gate, plagued by server issues, crashes, and missing features. ⁹²

Players expected an epic FPS experience. They got bugs, glitches, and disappointment instead. Battlefield 2042 ranked ninth on Steam250’s Hall of Shame – a dubious honor for a AAA title. ⁹¹ EA’s attempt to revitalize the franchise backfired, leaving fans frustrated and critics unimpressed. The game’s launch woes highlighted the risks of rushing big-budget releases to market.

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