Biggest Flops Of The Gaming World
Sometimes, a game rolls out so broken that it’s hard to tell where the fun was supposed to start. Expectations get dashed, and reviews do all the talking. Publishers might shrug, but gamers will always remember the infamous flops. Things usually don't go as planned in development, but this list takes a look at the titles where everything went sideways in spectacular fashion.
1. Big Rigs: Over The Road Racing (2003)
Big Rigs launched unfinished in 2003 with trucks that never crashed, AI opponents that didn’t move, and the iconic "YOU'RE WINNER" screen. Glitching through mountains and other obstacles defined the whole experience. Instead of breaking the rules of racing, it ignored them entirely.
Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing - Official Steam Release Date Announcement Trailer by GameTrailers
2. FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction (2011)
Speed kills, especially when paired with broken physics. This sequel, released in 2011, demolished everything fans loved about the FlatOut series. Cars handled like wet soap, and ragdoll mechanics felt ancient. The chaos was purely visual. So, racing here feels more like slapstick than a sport.
FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction (2011) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
3. Ride To Hell: Retribution (2013)
Violence and zero polish made Ride to Hell infamous. This biker-themed revenge tale dropped in 2013 and delivered awkward combat and cutscenes so bad that they became memes. By the time you’re done dealing with its repetitive missions, you’ll wonder how it was released.
Ride to Hell: Retribution - Just Bad Games by Rerez
4. Vroom In The Night Sky (2017)
Magic scooters should spark joy, not existential dread. After Vroom debuted on the Switch in 2017, it baffled everyone with its bizarre physics and unintelligible objectives. It was so confusing that players found it hard to explain it to someone else.
Is this the WORST Nintendo Switch game? - Vroom in the sky by GameGrumps
5. The Letter (2014)
The Letter crept onto Wii U in 2014, and came with horror themes that had no enemies. Its plot was not coherent, and there was no reason to explore. If your biggest fear is wasting time, this game may finally deliver on its promise of terror.
The Letter | Wii U Gameplay by IGS | Impact Game Station
6. Infestation: Survivor Stories (2012)
Now, this game was more of a threat than the zombies in it. Formerly known as The War Z, Infestation was launched in 2012 under a cloud of controversy. While the game promised survival horror and MMO thrills, players got paywalls and missing features.
Infestation: Survivor Stories - Super Zombie by KidxDennis
7. Yaris (2007)
Yaris hit Xbox Live Arcade in 2007 as a Toyota tie-in no one asked for. You drove a car with a laser gun and zapped weird obstacles. As you played, you asked yourself, "Why?" The real obstacle was figuring out who this was for.
Yaris (2007) Gameplay on the Xbox 360 RGH by Razor2329
8. Rogue Warrior (2009)
Expletives can't cover broken mechanics. Based on Navy SEAL Marcinko's exploits, Rogue Warrior landed in 2009 with clunky gunplay and laughably short missions. Players waded through four-letter words and four-hour campaigns. It shot for grit but landed squarely in parody.
🔫 Rogue Warrior (2009) Full Game Longplay by Fur FPS Games
9. Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust (2009)
Humor is subjective, but bad design isn't. This 2009 misfire starred Larry's nephew in a mess of lame jokes and infuriating fetch quests. As it explored parody, it lost sight of comedy. If you're searching for satire, you won't find it in the annoying punchlines.
Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust (2009) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
10. Charlie's Angels (2003)
Dancing between clumsy controls and empty environments, Charlie’s Angels crashed onto GameCube in 2003. Players endured lifeless brawls and dialogue that seemed hastily assembled. Even fans of the films struggled to stay awake. So, save your reflexes, as there’s nothing here worth defending.
Charlie's Angels PS2 Gameplay HD (PCSX2 v1.7.0) by xTimelessGaming
11. Aquaman: Battle For Atlantis (2003)
Underwater combat sounds thrilling until you meet sluggish controls and barren levels. Aquaman surfaced in 2003, dragging Xbox and GameCube players into a sea of disappointment. You'll spin and swing at absolutely nothing. Who needs superpowers for a mission this empty?
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis "Remastered" - GamePlay (Xbox,GC)[4K:60fps] by Levan
12. Drake Of The 99 Dragons (2003)
Armed with twin pistols and less-than-twin gameplay quality, Drake of the 99 Dragons hit Xbox in 2003. A confusing plot and dizzying camera defined the experience. You'll fight everything—except boredom. Even flipping through the instruction manual felt like better storytelling.
Drake of the 99 Dragons (XBOX) - Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) by Cinemassacre
13. The Guy Game (2004)
The Guy Game was built on bad timing and worse decisions and stumbled into scandal in 2004. Its gameplay revolved around answering trivia to earn censored video clips. Then legal trouble hit—an underage participant halted sales. While the design wasn't the problem, it didn't escape the law.
The Guy Game Xbox Gameplay - Seismic by IGN
14. Plumbers Don't Wear Ties (1993)
Claiming to be an “interactive romantic comedy,” Plumbers Don't Wear Ties instead delivered static slideshows on the 3DO in 1993. Players made meaningless choices while suffering grainy photos and shrill voice-overs. Consider it a museum piece showcasing how not to innovate.
Unboxed: Plumbers Don't Wear Ties Definitive Edition Deluxe Set (Limited Run Games) by K. Huntington
15. Deal Or No Deal (2007)
Pressing a button could hardly feel more hollow. Deal or No Deal awkwardly arrived on Wii and DS in 2007, stripping away all the suspense the TV show had built. Choose a case, hope for luck, and it’s over. There's barely even a deal to refuse.
Deal or No Deal (PC 4K Gameplay) | The Retro Show | A CLASSIC TV SHOW! by CaptainGoodspeed
16. Elf Bowling 1 & 2 (2005)
Holiday spirit couldn’t save this one. Elf Bowling 1 & 2 bundled two basic Flash games into a miserable Nintendo DS cartridge in 2005. You’ll roll bowling balls at taunting elves, then do it again and again while enduring the same taunts.
Longplay of Elf Bowling 1 & 2 by LongplayArchive
17. Double Dragon II: Wander Of The Dragons (2013)
Reboots should revive—not dismantle—legends. Double Dragon II limped onto Xbox 360 in 2013 with lifeless combat and clunky movement. As you punch and kick, you’ll be tempted to quit. If you revere the classics, this one will swing harder at your patience than enemies.
Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons (2013 Xbox 360) - Full Game Playthrough by Demon27248
18. NBA Unrivaled (2009)
As NBA Unrivaled stumbled onto Xbox 360 in 2009, it brought outdated graphics and clumsy controls with it. Player likenesses were forgettable, and court action was awkward. You'll dribble through glitchy animations and wonder if this was made to annoy basketball fans.
NBA Unrivaled - XBLA (2009) / 'Delisted' from Xbox Live Arcade in 2012 by snoogans460
19. Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor (2012)
Commanding a mech should feel epic. Instead, Heavy Armor thrust Kinect players into chaos when it was released in 2012. Motion controls barely registered, and gameplay collapsed into frustrating gestures. Strap in, but don't expect control. Winning here feels harder than piloting an actual tank blindfolded.
20. Gene Troopers (2005)
Gene Troopers crash-landed on PC and Xbox in 2005 with so much blandness. Shooting felt weightless, level design recycled every tired sci-fi trope, and the story forgot its own stakes. If you crave adventure, steer clear—you’d get more from watching paint dry.
Gene Troopers (2005) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
