Video games can become enormous successes, earning billions and creating dedicated followings. However, not all games find fortune—some flop miserably, failing to leave much impact on the market.
In many cases, underperforming games can be attributed to unrealistic anticipations, incorrect release timings, or simply unfortunate circumstances. Let’s explore ten games that, despite their promising prospects, became some of the least profitable releases in history.
10. ‘The Last Guardian’ (2016)
For over a decade, this game was painstakingly crafted, generating immense excitement among players. Conceived by the brilliant minds at Team Ico, it offered an enchanting narrative about a young boy and his colossal beastly ally.
Regrettably, I jumped into this game at launch only to be met with frustrating control glitches and stuttering performance. The sales numbers were abysmally low, barely managing to recoup the development costs. Yet, despite its visually stunning artwork, it seems the game has faded from the limelight.
9. ‘Shenmue II’ (2001)
The sequel to Sega’s groundbreaking ‘Shenmue II’, initially released for the Dreamcast, showcased bravery in continuing such a pioneering series. By blending immersive storytelling with expansive open-world combat, it stood out from the crowd. However, due to the underperformance of the Dreamcast console, its success was somewhat hampered.
Although the Xbox version came out late, it failed to recoup its substantial investment due to financial constraints. The trilogy remained incomplete until a Kickstarter campaign brought it back to life several years afterward.
8. ‘Brutal Legend’ (2009)
In this thrilling, fantasy-themed video game, Jack Black portrayed the role of a heavy metal roadie. He was immersed in an eccentric universe. The game boasted an exceptional soundtrack and a distinct, one-of-a-kind aesthetic.
Yet, it was released at the same time as popular games such as ‘Uncharted 2’ and ‘Batman: Arkham Asylum’. Due to ineffective promotion and tough rivalry, its sales performance was disappointing.
7. ‘Grim Fandango’ (1998)
This intriguing adventure game earned much praise for its gripping narrative, reminiscent of film noir, taking place within the realm of the Afterlife. The wit and visual aesthetics were exceptional.
Simultaneously launching with ‘Metal Gear Solf and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time significantly hindered its success. It struggled to gain traction, barely managing to reach a broad market.
6. ‘Duke Nukem Forever’ (2011)
Following a 14-year long production process, this shooter game garnered excitement as a comeback for an iconic character. Fan anticipation ran high for its rough comedy and large-scale action scenes.
In a hurry with glitches and an outdated layout, it failed spectacularly. The poor sales led to losses of over two million dollars for Take-Two, effectively ending the series.
5. ‘Beyond Good & Evil’ (2003)
Ubisoft’s action-adventure game received acclaim for its captivating narrative and distinctive setting. The game centered around a journalist investigating a secret plot.
Although it received positive reviews, it was still pitted against heavyweights such as ‘Splinter Cell’. Disappointing sales put an end to the planned trilogy, yet whispers of a high-definition remaster and sequel remain.
4. ‘Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two’ (2012)
It was clear that the initial ‘Epic Mickey’ was successful on the Wii, making a follow-up highly anticipated. The objective of this new installment was to enrich the dark Disney journey by introducing cooperative multiplayer gaming.
The project faced technical problems and lacked direction, leading to poor sales. As a result, the developer decided to close operations, thereby halting any potential follow-ups.
3. ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ (1982)
The Atari 2600 version of this popular film-tied game was expedited to stores within a mere five weeks. High anticipation surrounded it as a potential Christmas blockbuster.
The game was chaotic, with muddled game mechanics and suboptimal design, resulting in an enormous number of unsold game cartridges. Notably, many of these ended up being discarded in a landfill.
2. ‘The Guy Game’ (2004)
This quiz-style game was designed to create a lively atmosphere at parties, with suggestive themes, catering to an exclusive mature crowd. It delivered a playful and mischievous experience.
The distribution of the content was stopped due to legal disputes about its unauthorized status. Alongside negative feedback, it barely sold at all, eventually fading into obscurity.
1. ‘Revolution X’ (1994)
In this arcade game, Aerosmith was prominently used, leveraging their popularity to create an action game with a musical theme. The objective was to seamlessly combine the excitement of rock music with the thrill of shooting.
A awkward gameplay and limited audience attraction caused poor sales on both arcade and console versions. Now, it’s known as an unusual trivia in video game history.
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2025-07-12 21:14