When it comes to the world of gaming, we often celebrate the successes, the groundbreaking titles, and the unforgettable experiences. However, not every game can be a hit. In this list, we’re delving into the darker side of gaming history as we explore the 5 biggest flops in gaming history. These are the games that promised the world but delivered disappointment and failure and serve as cautionary tales for both developers and gamers alike.
What Are The Biggest Flops In Gaming History?
Honorable Mention: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Widely regarded as one of the worst video games ever made, Atari’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is notorious for its rushed development and lackluster gameplay. It was so poorly received that unsold copies of the game were eventually buried in a landfill in New Mexico. This title remains a symbol of the video game industry crash in the early 1980s.
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Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013)
Gearbox Software’s Aliens: Colonial Marines faced a tidal wave of backlash upon release for its poor graphics, uninspired gameplay, and a narrative that strayed from the beloved “Alien” franchise. Despite post-launch patches for the game, the game couldn’t shake its reputation as a colossal disappointment.
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Umbrella Corps (2016)
A spin-off of the beloved Resident Evil franchise, Umbrella Corps had a lot to live up to. Unfortunately, it disappointed fans with its lack of compelling gameplay, uninspired maps, and overall lack of polish. The game was pretty much dead on arrival when it launched as there were much better options available for players looking for a fun team-based shooter.
Duke Nukem Forever (2011)
After an incredibly long development period — 14 years to be exact –, Duke Nukem Forever finally arrived, only to disappoint fans who had been waiting for over a decade. The game featured outdated design, lower-than-juvenile humor, and numerous technical issues that left it beyond redemption. What made it worse was that the game was one of the most boring games I ever played.
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Ride to Hell: Retribution (2013)
Ride to Hell: Retribution promised a gritty, open-world biker adventure from Eutechnyx, a studio more known for racing games than anything else. What players ended up getting was a broken and poorly designed mess. It was plagued by repetitive gameplay, some of the worst voice acting ever, and a story, if you want to call it that, that would make anyone cringe.
There’s really nothing else to say about this game. It’s bad in every aspect. Oh, and it had this obnoxious scene.
Anthem (2019)
Where to begin with this one? Heralded as BioWare’s next big hit, Anthem promised an expansive open world and dynamic storytelling. However, upon release, the game featured a repetitive grind and a lack of compelling content. Anthem’s troubles even led to a major overhaul project that was announced in February 2020. Ultimately all work on the game was stopped a year later, solidifying it as the biggest flop in BioWare and EA history.
Concord (2024)
From the start, people knew Concord wasn’t going to be a success. Well, everyone but Sony. A game in development for eight years, Concord was a hero shooter coming out at a time when people grew tired of the genre. The game offered nothing that helped it stand out from the other games on the market. On top of that, they charged a $40 premium while other competitors were free-to-play. The game lasted just two weeks before being taken offline.
What do you think are the biggest flops in gaming history? Let us know in the comments below.
