Money Grabs or Bad Luck?
There are some video games out there that make you scratch your head and wonder how they even got made. Whether they were rushed, misunderstood, or just plain bad, these titles earned a reputation for being confusing, frustrating, or disappointing to players. This list takes a look at 20 of the most notorious games that, honestly, shouldn’t exist in the shape they did. Get ready for a ride through wasted potential, weird design choices, and moments that made fans say, “Wow, that was rough.”
1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Atari 2600)
This game is infamous for being confusing, clunky, and nearly unplayable, even back in the early ’80s. You wander around trying to collect pieces of a phone while falling into pits constantly. Players often got stuck or lost, and it didn’t feel rewarding at all. It’s been blamed for killing the early video game market.
2. Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing
Big Rigs somehow managed to be a racing game without any real challenge or sense of speed. You could drive through obstacles and opponents without consequence, and there was no real goal to work toward. Many of the physics and collision systems were broken, making it feel unfinished. Most players just laughed at how bad it was.
3. Ride to Hell: Retribution
Supposed to be a gritty biker revenge game, Ride to Hell ended up being a chaotic mess of poor controls and offensive storytelling. Combat feels stiff, driving is awkward, and the writing barely makes sense. Bugs were everywhere, and it looked like development was rushed. It was widely panned by critics and players alike.
4. Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties
This game is remembered mostly for being bizarre, with low-quality visuals and a nonsensical plot. It tried to pass off still photos as gameplay, which left players disappointed and confused. The dialogue is awkward, and the “choices” don’t feel meaningful. It’s a title people often bring up when talking about games that miss the mark completely.
5. Superman 64
Superman 64 was meant to be an exciting superhero game but ended up being one of the most frustrating experiences in gaming history. You spend endless time flying through rings in cramped, foggy levels with imprecise controls. It feels more like punishment than play. Fans still talk about how it didn’t do the Man of Steel justice.
6. Aliens: Colonial Marines
This title had promise but totally dropped the ball when it came out, with poor AI and lackluster combat. The enemies often behave oddly, and the levels don’t feel engaging. It also failed to capture the tension you’d expect from an Alien game. Many felt it was a rushed cash-in on the franchise.
7. Bubsy 3D
Bubsy 3D tried to transition a floppy platformer into 3D but ended up with awkward controls and blocky graphics. Jumping feels imprecise and levels are hard to read, so falling into hazards becomes frustrating. It’s one of those games that makes you miss older style platformers. Players often remember it for all the wrong reasons.
8. Daikatana
Hyped up by its creator, Daikatana couldn’t live up to expectations when it finally arrived. The gameplay feels dated and unpolished, and enemies act unpredictably. It’s combat and level design just don’t hold up, even for its time. Fans felt burned by how much potential it had and how little it delivered.
9. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5
Fans had waited years for a new entry in this beloved series, only to get a game filled with bugs and sloppy design. Skating doesn’t feel smooth, and many levels are poorly constructed. Crashes and glitches were common, making it hard to enjoy. It’s a reminder that nostalgia alone can’t save bad execution.
Nikita Kachanovsky on Unsplash
10. No Man’s Sky (At Launch)
While it’s since improved, No Man’s Sky’s original launch was a letdown to many players who expected deep gameplay. The universe looked massive, but the activities felt repetitive and shallow. Key features mentioned before release were missing, which disappointed fans. It’s now better, but the initial version earned a bad reputation.
11. Drake of the 99 Dragons
This title tried to mix style with action, but the result was a confusing combat system and awkward controls. The camera feels unhelpful, and the shooting mechanics lack precision. It’s one of those games where effort is clear, but everything just doesn’t work together well. Most players remember it for how frustrating it could be.
12. Kinect Star Wars
The idea of Jedi training with motion controls sounded cool, but in practice it just didn’t pan out. The Kinect tech often failed to register movements accurately, making actions feel unresponsive. Players ended up flailing more than feeling like a Jedi. It turned a fun idea into a tiring experience.
Nikita Kachanovsky on Unsplash
13. Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust
This installment of the Larry series lost much of the charm the older games had and replaced it with sloppy gameplay. Controls feel awkward, and most of the humor falls flat. The missions are repetitive and uninteresting, dragging out the experience. Many fans were upset because it cheapened the legacy of the franchise.
14. The Order: 1886
Though visually impressive, The Order offered shallow gameplay and short length that left many players dissatisfied. It feels more like an interactive movie than a real game, with limited interactivity. Combat isn’t memorable, and the story doesn’t stick the landing. It’s an example of style over substance.
15. Feeble Files
This adventure game tried to be quirky and fun but instead gave players tedious puzzles and clunky mechanics to deal with. The dialogue and humor just don’t land, making exploration less rewarding. Controls can be confusing, and progress feels slow. It’s a title that left many scratching their heads.
16. Postal III
Postal III arrived with a lot of controversy and gameplay that felt unfinished and rough around the edges. Missions are repetitive and the world feels empty. Combat doesn’t feel satisfying, and bugs often disrupt progression. Fans of the series were disappointed by how poorly it played.
17. Mighty No. 9
Touted as a spiritual successor to classic platformers, Mighty No. 9 failed to capture what made those games great. The controls feel slippery, and many bosses are poorly designed. The level pacing is off, making it feel like a chore instead of fun. It’s a case where expectations were way higher than the reality.
18. Alone in the Dark (2008)
This reboot of the survival horror classic fell short with awkward combat and odd design choices. The enemies and environments don’t feel cohesive, making it hard to get immersed. Some mechanics feel half-baked, leaving players frustrated. Horror fans mostly felt let down by what should’ve been a big return.
19. Gods and Monsters (Now Immortals Fenyx Rising)
Initially announced as Gods and Monsters, the final game rebranded and lost focus somewhere along the way. The result feels uneven, with design choices that conflict rather than complement each other. Combat and exploration just don’t feel satisfying, no matter how vibrant the world looks. It’s a game that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be.
20. Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans (Cancelled Beta)
Though it never fully released, the few versions that leaked showed a game that was surprisingly awkward and unfocused. It felt like a point-and-click adventure that didn’t match what fans expected from the Warcraft universe. Characters and story beats didn’t hit the mark, making it hard to get invested. It’s mostly remembered as a curiosity, not a classic.
