Video games notable for negative reception

Some video games have been well-known for negative reception for various reasons, such as complaints about gameplay, graphics, or other elements. Some of these games have also been additionally labelled by gaming publications as "the worst game ever made". The following is a list of video games which have had a history of negative reception from video gaming publications and by players (in factors such as sales and community reaction).

1980s

1981

"Pac-Man (Atari 2600)"

(1981; Atari 2600)
*Listed as #5 worst game of all time by PC World,Townsend, Emru (October 23, 2006). [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,127579-page,2-c,games/article.html The 10 Worst Games of All Time] . PC World. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.] "Electronic Gaming Monthly",Seanbaby. [http://www.seanbaby.com/nes/egm01.htm EGM's Crapstravaganza: The 20 Worst Games of All Time] . Electronic Gaming Monthly. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.] and Michael Dolan, editor of "FHM" magazine. [http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/history/best-n-worst.html The Video Game Revolution: Best and Worst Games of All Time] . PBS. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.]
*The game is commonly cited as one of the main causes of the Video game crash of 1983.
*The quality of the game was highly criticized. Many gamers lost loyalty to Atari and returned "Pac-Man" to stores.
*There were more "Pac-Man" cartridges built (12 million) than Ataris owned (10 million).
*Upon realizing that the 1981 holiday season was just around the corner, Atari based the marketed game on an unfinished prototype shown by Tod Frye, one of Atari's leading programmers.

1982

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"

(1982; Atari 2600)
*Listed as the worst game of all time by PC World, "Electronic Gaming Monthly", and Michael Dolan, editor of "FHM" magazine.
* Infamous for the Atari video game burial, in which Atari dumped truckloads of "E.T." cartridges into a landfill in New Mexico after they failed to sell.McQuiddy, M.E. (September 27, 1983). [http://atari.digital-madman.com/graphics/atari.gifCity to Atari: 'E.T.' trash go home] . "Alamogordo Daily News". Retrieved on May 27, 2008.]
* The game is commonly cited as one of the main causes of the Video game crash of 1983.
* Ranked as the second worst movie game on the "Top Ten Worst Movie Games" (losing only to Charlie's Angels) by Gametrailers [http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21160.html. GameTrailers. Retrieved on August 10 2008.] .
* This game was rushed in order to be in time for the approaching 1982 Christmas season, because Atari had about six weeks to manufacture and market the cartridges.
* It was ranked #2 Worst on "Top Ten Best and Worst Games of All Time" losing only to "Superman 64".

"Custer's Revenge"

(1982; Atari 2600)
* Features a crude simulation of an apparent rape of a Native American woman named Revenge, and has been called one of the most violent games of all time.Kidman, Alex (April 10, 2008). [http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/107909,violent-video-games--the-worst-of-the-worst.aspx Violent Video Games: The Worst of the Worst] . PC Authority. Retrieved on May 29, 2008.]
* Listed as the most shameful game of all time by GameSpy, [http://archive.gamespy.com/top10/december02/shame/index4.shtml Top Ten Shameful Games] . GameSpy. Retrieved on May 29, 2008.] as the third-worst game of all time by PC World, and GameTrailers [http://www.gametrailers.com/player/15147.html GT Countdown: Top Ten Best and Worst Games of All Time] . GameTrailers. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.] and as the ninth-worst game by Seanbaby in "Electronic Gaming Monthly".Seanbaby. [http://www.seanbaby.com/nes/egm09.htm EGM's Crapstavaganza: The Twenty Worst Games of All Time] . "Electronic Gaming Monthly". Retrieved on May 29, 2008.]
* Named the third-naughtiest game of all time by Seanbaby.Seanbaby. [http://www.seanbaby.com/nes/naughty03.htm EGM's 10 Naughtiest Games of All Time] . "EGM". Retrieved on May 29, 2008.]
* It was declared #3 Worst on "Top Ten Best and Worst Games of All Time." On it, Geoff Keighley said, "It pissed me off as a gamer to see a game like that because... those kinds of games give the industry a bad reputation."

1984

= "The Great Space Race" =

(1984; ZX Spectrum)
* The hotly-anticipated follow-up to Legend's popular and influential graphic adventure "Valhalla". Pre-release publicity boasted that the game contained "technical effects never before seen in home computer software", with "true solid 3D graphics". [ [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~jg27paw4/yr08/yr08_03.htm Your Spectrum, issue 08, October 1984] ] The game was actually coded largely in BASIC, [ [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=Crash/Issue13/Pages/Crash1300119.jpgCrash, Issue 13, February 1985] ] and received universally negative reviews.
* Described by Sinclair User as "one of the most vacuous products we have seen." [ [http://www.sincuser.f9.co.uk/036/sftwre.htm Sinclair User, March 1985] ]
* In the words of Big K magazine, "Graphics are great - by 1982 standards. In 1985 they look amateurish and unprofessional". [ [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=BigK/Issue12/Pages/BigK1200023.jpgBig K, Issue 12, March 1985] ]

1989

= "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" =

(1989; NES)
* Nintendojo stated that "The NES has been widely lauded for its classics, as well as its classic clunkers; obscure titles like Roger Rabbit that seem to lack any real meaning, void of rhyme or reason. Though there is much I have yet to absorb, especially on the NES, I can unabashedly say that Who Framed Roger Rabbit is the worst game I have ever played.", giving the game a of 0.7/10. [ [http://www.nintendojo.com/reviews/NES/view_item.php?1119579029] ]

1990s

1993

"International Rugby Challenge" (Amiga)

(1993; Commodore Amiga)
* Amiga Power gave the game 2%, with reviewer Stuart Campbell calling it "the worst video game I've seen since I started with Pong in 1977 or thereabouts", condemning its "awful, awful flaws" and stating that its awfulness "beggars belief". It also received low scores from Amiga Format (16%), Amiga Action (39%) and The One Amiga (37%).

1994

"Shaq Fu"

(1994; Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Amiga) [http://cheats.ign.com/objects/006/006627.html Shaq Fu] . IGN. Retrieved on May 26, 2008.] (1995; Game Boy, Sega Game Gear)
* The game featured professional basketball player Shaquille O'Neal as a playable character and included a single from one of his hip-hop albums.
* Listed as the worst game of all time by NetjakFarrow, Jimmy (August 4, 2003). [http://www.netjak.com/review.php/376 Shaq-Fu - SNES review] . Netjak. Retrieved on May 26, 2008.] and was rated as the worst fighting game of all time by GameTrailers. [http://www.gametrailers.com/player/20506.html Top Ten Worst Fighting Games] . GameTrailers. Retrieved on May 26, 2008.]
* [http://www.shaqfu.com/ourmission.html Shaqfu.com] is dedicated to destroying every copy of "Shaq Fu" by buying the game from anyone who owns it.
* It is ranked #4 Worst on "Top Ten Best and Worst Games of All Time."

1995

"Waterworld"

(1995; Virtual Boy)
*"Waterworld" is widely regarded as the worst Virtual Boy game out of the 22 games released in its short life. It is the lowest reviewed game at "Planet Virtual Boy" [cite web
title="Waterworld"
author=KR155E
publisher=Planet Virtual Boy
url=http://www.vr32.de/modules/games/index.php?type=released&sec=main&id=22
accessdate=2006-06-06] and has the lowest reader review average at sites such as "GameFAQs". [cite web
title="Waterworld" player reviews
publisher=GameFAQs
url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/vboy/review/563928.html
accessdate=2006-06-06]

*Steven L. Kent, author of "The Ultimate History of Video Games" and "The Making of Doom 3", selected it as his choice for worst video game of all time. [cite web
url = http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/history/best-n-worst.html
title = History of Gaming: The Best and Worst Video Games of All Time
publisher = PBS
language = English
accessdate = 2006-06-30]

1997

""

(1997; PlayStation)
* Described by IGN as "One of the best licenses ever has been turned into one of the worst games ever" and "It's a disappointing game that sullies the fine Spawn name." [cite news | url = http://psx.ign.com/articles/150/150324p1.html | publisher = IGN | title = Spawn: The Eternal Review|date = 1997-12-09 | first = Adam | last = Douglas | accessdate = 2006-08-09 ]
* Received a 1.8/10 rating from GameSpot, who wrote that "Spawn the Eternal is one of the worst games ever to shame the PlayStation with its presence." [cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/spawntheeternal/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;review | title = Spawn The Eternal Reviews |Publisher = Josh Smith]

1998

"Extreme Paintbrawl"

(1998; PC)
* GameSpot gave it a 1.7 / 10 [ [http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/extremepaintbrawl/review.html?sid=2535875&om_act=convert&om_clk=gsupdates&tag=updates;title;1 GameSpot Review] ]
* IGN gave it a 0.7 / 10 [ [http://pc.ign.com/articles/160/160455p1.html IGN Review] ] , the second game in the website's history to receive lower than a one, (losing out only to Olympic Hockey Nagano '98).

1999

"Superman 64"

(1999; Nintendo 64) [http://www.gamespot.com/n64/adventure/superman64/tech_info.html Superman 64 for Nintendo 64] . GameSpot. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.]
* Listed as the worst game of all time by GameTrailers, the worst game on a Nintendo platform by Nintendo Power, and as the worst comic book video game adaptation in history by GameSpy.Chapman, David (July 18, 2004). [http://www.gamespy.com/articles/530/530950p1.html Comics to Consoles: Part II - When Good Comics Go Bad] . GameSpy. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.]
* Critics were overwhelmingly negative in reviews, with Joe Fielder of GameSpot writing, "This is easily the worst game I've ever played,"Fielder, Joe (June 8, 1999). [http://www.gamespot.com/n64/adventure/superman64/review.html Superman for Nintendo 64 Review] . GameSpot. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.] and other sites such as IGNCasamassina, Matt (June 2, 1999). [http://ign64.ign.com/articles/151/151957p1.html Superman Review] . IGN. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.] and Game RevolutionLeong, George. [http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/n64/superman Superman review for the N64] . Game Revolution. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.] panning the game for its atrocious set-up, gameplay, and graphics.
* Seanbaby said, "Superman looks like a flying log in panties and everything is covered in a dull green fog."
* When it was on "Top Ten Best and Worst Games of All Time," the announcer said that it "goes back to stores faster than a speeding bullet."

2000s

2001

"Kabuki Warriors"

(2001; Xbox)
* Received the lowest review score in the history of "Edge Magazine". [http://www.edge-online.co.uk/edgedb/search.php Edge Online Review Database] . "Edge Magazine". Retrieved on June 2, 2008.]
* Game Informer wrote of the game, "... I literally won a match just bashing the controller against my ass."McNamara, Andy. [http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1832.31851.htm Game Informer Online] . Game Informer. Retrieved on June 2, 2008.]
* It received a 32/100 from metacritic based on 15 reviews. [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbx/kabukiwarriors?q=Kabuki%20Warriors Kabuki Warriors metacritic]
* It has an average score of 35% according to Game Rankings. [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/531881.asp Kabuki Warriors on GameRankings]

2002

2003

""

(2003; Xbox, Nintendo Gamecube)
* The Gamecube version is the second worst reviewed game on Gamerankings with 27% (right behind Charlie's Angels) [ [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/542019.asp Charlie's Angels Reviews ] ] .
* Metacritic rated both game versions as the 3rd worst reviewed game on both platforms. The Gamecube version has a 29/100 [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/cube/charliesangels Charlie's Angels (cube: 2003): Reviews ] ] and the Xbox version a 25/100 [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbx/batmandarktomorrow Batman: Dark Tomorrow (xbx: 2003): Reviews ] ] .

"Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Battle 22"

(2003; Playstation)
* It received a 25/100 from metacritic based on 9 game reviews [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/psx/dragonballzultimatebattle22] Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Battle 22 on metacritic]
*GameSpot gave it a 1.2/10, calling it a "really, really terrible game."
*"X-Play" said it was "a waste of time and money."
*"Official PlayStation Magazine" gave it a 1/5, the second lowest score possible.
*"Electronic Gaming Monthly" said that "someone crapped in a jewel case and passed it off as a game."
* Overall, it has a 32% on Game Rankings.

""

(2003; GameCube, Xbox) [http://cube.ign.com/objects/017/017141.html Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis] . IGN. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.]
* Named as one of the worst games of all time by X-Play, it was the inspiration for X-Play's annual award for the worst game of the year, "The Golden Mullet", a reference to the hairstyle Aquaman features in the game. [http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/videos/10864/Classic_XPlay_Aquaman_Review.html Classic X-Play: Aquaman Review] . G4. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.]
* The Xbox version received a 26/100 while the GameCube version received a 27/100 from metacritic. [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbx/aquamanbattleforatlantis?q=Aquaman:%20Battle%20for%20Atlantis Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis on metacritic]

"Drake of the 99 Dragons"

(2003; PC, Xbox)
* GameSpot described it as "an out-and-out failure in every single discernable category." [ [http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/drake/review.html Drake of the 99 Dragons for Xbox Review - Xbox Drake of the 99 Dragons Review] . GameSpot. Retrieved July 11, 2008.]
* IGN said "There's no need to rent, purchase or entertain the thought of playing this one." [http://xbox.ign.com/articles/489/489967p2.html IGN: Drake Review] . IGN. Retrieved July 11, 2008.]

= "Charlie's Angels" =

(2003; PlayStation 2, GameCube)
* The game has a rating of 23 on Metacritic, making it one of the lowest-rated games on the site. [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/cube/charliesangels Charlie's Angels (cube: 2003): Reviews] . Metacritic. Retrieved June 11, 2008.]
* "Game Informer" said "This game is nothing short of an embarrassment." [ [http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200309/R03.0821.1128.06673.htm] . "Game Informer". Retrieved July 11, 2008.]
* GameSpot called it a "horrific display of ineptitude." [ [http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/charliesangels/review.html Charlie's Angels for GameCube Review - GameCube Charlie's Angels Review] . GameSpot. Retrieved July 11, 2008.]
* On "GameRankings", Charlie's Angels received a 23%, with 24 reviews. [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/542019.asp]
* The game was ranked #1 on Gametrailers' Top 10 Worst Movie Games of all time. [http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21160.html. Gametrailers. Retrieved on August 10 2008.] .

""

(2003; PC) [http://www.gamespot.com/pc/driving/bigrigsotrr/tech_info.html Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing for PC Tech Info] . GameSpot. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.]
* Listed as the worst game ever made by reviews at GameSpotNavarro, Alex (January 14, 2004). [http://www.gamespot.com/pc/driving/bigrigsotrr/review.html Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing for PC Review] . GameSpot. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.] , ThunderboltWadleigh, Matt (March 22, 2004). [http://www.thunderboltgames.com/reviews/viewreview.php?rid=381 Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing - PC review] . Thunderbolt. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.] , and NetjakChan, Clayton (January 21, 2004). [http://www.netjak.com/review.php/537 Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing Review] . Netjak. Retrieved on May 25, 2008.] .
*Gamespot began the review with "Just how bad is Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing? It's as bad as your mind allows you to comprehend."Navarro, Alex (January 14, 2004)]
* It is one of the lowest-rated games on Metacritic, with an average rating of 8 out of 100. [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/bigrigsovertheroadracing Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing (pc: 2003): Reviews] . Metacritic. Retrieved on July 11, 2008.]
* It is one of the lowest-rated games on Game Rankings with an average rating of 4%. [ [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/919220.asp Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing] at Gamerankings.com]
* "Big Rigs" sold well despite negative reviews. [ [http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/day3w_12.html GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2004: Flat-Out Worst Game] . GameSpot. Retrieved on July 11, 2008.]

= "Gods and Generals" =

(2003; PC)
* Won "Flat-Out Worst Game" in GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2003. [ [http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2003/day3_14.html] . GameSpot. Retrieved on July 11, 2008.]
* GameSpot gave it a 1.2 said that "It's difficult to imagine that Gods and Generals could be much worse than it is." [ [http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/godsgenerals/review.html Gods and Generals for PC Review - PC Gods and Generals Review] . GameSpot. Retrieved on July 11, 2008.]
* It has a Metacritic rating of 19. [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/godsandgenerals Gods and Generals (pc: 2003): Reviews] . Metacritic. Retrieved on July 11, 2008.]

= "MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch" =

(2003; PC, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox)
* GameSpot described it as "a mess from top to bottom." [ [http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mtvscelebritydeathmatch/review.html MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch for PlayStation 2 Review - PlayStation 2 MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch Review] . GameSpot. Retrieved July 11, 2008.]
* GameSpy said "It's rare to find a title that is so inadequately presented and so fundamentally flawed." [ [http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/mtvs-celebrity-deathmatch/6331p1.html GameSpy: MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch Review] . GameSpy. Retrieved July 11, 2008.]

2005

= "Elf Bowling 1 & 2" =

(2005; Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS)
* Described by GameSpot as "completely devoid of gameplay, fun, and flair." [ [http://www.gamespot.com/ds/sports/elfbowling/review.html Elf Bowling 1 & 2 for DS Review - DS Elf Bowling 1 & 2 Review] . GameSpot. Retrieved on July 11, 2008.]
* IGN gave it a 1.0 and described it as "two of the crappiest games ever developed on the Nintendo DS platform." [ [http://ds.ign.com/articles/675/675678p1.html IGN: Elf Bowling 1&2 Review] . IGN. Retrieved on July 11, 2008.]
* It is the second lowest-rated game rated on Metacritic, with a rating of 12. [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/elfbowling1and2 Elf Bowling 1 & 2 (ds: 2005): Reviews] . Metacritic. Retrieved on July 11, 2008.]

2006

""

(2006; PC, Xbox)
* 1UP.com said "Bad Day L.A. may be the worst PC game to stumble drunkenly onto the scene in years." [ [http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3153433 American McGee Presents: Bad Day L.A. Review from 1UP.com] . 1UP.com. Retrieved June 11, 2008.]
* IGN said "There's little redeeming about a title that originally held such promise." [ [http://pc.ign.com/articles/733/733326p1.html IGN: Bad Day L.A. Review] . IGN. Retrieved June 11, 2008.]
* The game has a 28/100 based on 24 reviewers according to metacritic. [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/baddayla?q=American%20McGee%20presents:%20Bad%20Day%20L.A. Bad Day L.A. on metacritic]

""

(2006; Xbox 360)
* Metacritic gave it a 34 and is the 3rd worst Xbox 360 title. [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/bombermanactzero Bomberman: Act Zero (xbox360: 2006): Reviews ] ]
* The game won the 2006 Flat-Out Worst Game by Gamespot [ [http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/honors/index.html?page=7 Best Games and Worst Games of 2006 at GameSpot Dubious Honors ] ]
* With 33% from 56 reviews, Bomberman: Act Zero is the 6th lowest rated game on Gamerankings. [ [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/929921.asp Bomberman: Act Zero Reviews ] ]

"Ultimate Duck Hunting"

(2006; PC)
* GameTrailers did a "suicide review" routine when making the video review for the game. [http://www.gametrailers.com/player/11580.html?type=flv]
* Worth playing gave the game a 40/100 and said: "I can only recommend this game to passionate duck hunters and those with 10-year-old PCs too feeble to run anything else.". [http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=40217&mode=thread&order=0 Ultimate Duck Hunting on worth playing]

2007

"Anubis II"

(2007; PC, PlayStation 2, Wii)
* GameSpot gave it a 1.5 and described it as "one of the worst games ever created and fundamentally broken." [ [http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/anubisii/review.html Anubis II for Wii Review - Wii Anubis II Review] . GameSpot. Retrieved on July 11, 2008.]
* It has a Metacritic rating of 19. [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/anubis2 Anubis II (wii: 2007): Reviews] . Metacritic. Retrieved on July 11, 2008.]

2008

""

(2008; PlayStation 2, Wii, Xbox 360)
*Game Informer gave the game a 1.75/10 with reviewer Andrew Reiner saying that "all the truck drivers out there who are transporting copies of Jumper: Griffin's Story to retail, please redirect your shipments to Alamogordo, New Mexico. You'll know you are in the right location when you see thousands of E.T. cartridges moving out of the way to make room for your shipment."cite web |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/57A6302C-B84F-4365-9426-61F418F37751.htm|title=Jumper: Griffin's Story|accessdate=2008-02-27 |author=Reiner, Andrew |date=2008-02 |format=Review |work=April '08 issue |publisher=Game Informer] .
*Metacritic gave the Xbox 360 version of Jumper: Griffin's Story a 29/100 and is the second worst reviewed game on the platform [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/jumper. Metacritic. Retrieved on August 18, 2008.] .

See also

* List of best-selling video games
* List of commercial failures in video gaming

References