The Biggest Flops in the History of Video Games

From ET's desert dump to console craziness, a tour of video gaming's biggest blunders

Vanesa Lucero

Video games have been a source of entertainment for decades, but not all games are created equal. Some games fail to meet the expectations of fans and critics, and end up being a big flop. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest flops in the history of video games.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Atari 2600)

Released in 1982, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was based on the popular movie of the same name. Unfortunately, the game was rushed and poorly designed, leading to widespread criticism and disappointing sales. The game was so bad that Atari was forced to bury thousands of unsold copies in a landfill.

Daikatana (PC)

Released in 2000, Daikatana was a first-person shooter that promised to revolutionize the genre. However, the game was plagued by development problems, delays, and poor reviews. It was a huge disappointment for fans and critics alike, and is widely considered one of the worst games of all time.

Duke Nukem Forever (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

Duke Nukem Forever was in development for over a decade, and was highly anticipated by fans. However, when the game was finally released in 2011, it was met with widespread disappointment. The game was criticized for its outdated graphics, poor gameplay, and crass humor.

Aliens: Colonial Marines (PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

Based on the popular movie franchise, Aliens: Colonial Marines was hyped as a thrilling and intense shooter. However, when the game was released in 2013, it was met with widespread criticism. The game was buggy, had poor graphics, and was accused of false advertising.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 (PS4, Xbox One)

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 was supposed to be a return to form for the popular skateboarding franchise. However, the game was released in a broken state, with numerous glitches and poor graphics. Fans and critics alike were disappointed, and the game was widely considered a flop.

These are just a few of the biggest flops in the history of video games. While these games may have fallen short, they serve as a reminder that even the most promising games can sometimes fail to live up to expectations.

Vanesa Lucero
Vane writes about video games and role playing games. Get cover when she cast a spell!
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