Worst Video Games of All Time
1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial for the Atari 2600
Listed as the worst game of all time by PC World, Electronic Gaming Monthly, and Michael Dolan, editor of FHM magazine. Some considered it so bad that the title screen was the only good part of the entire game. Many copies of the game were returned to stores, which led to Atari allegedly dumping truckloads of E.T. cartridges into a landfill in New Mexico after they failed to sell. The game is commonly cited as one of the main causes of the video game crash of 1983, as Atari had hoped that brand loyalty would keep consumers buying their games regardless of quality. In 2007, GamePro named E.T. one of the 52 most important games of all time due to its roles in the 1983 video game crash and the downfall of the seemingly unstoppable Atari. It is the only game to make the list for having had a negative impact on the video game industry.
2. Pac-Man for the Atari 2600
Based on an unfinished prototype in an attempt to release by the holiday season of 1981. Contained many differences from the arcade version due to the limitations of the console, such as “flickering” ghosts and lower-quality sound effects. 12 million copies were produced, even though only 10 million Atari 2600 consoles had been sold.
3. The Faces of Evil and Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon
Gained negative reception due to their barely functional controls, lackluster gameplay and numerous glitches. Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon was named the #6 worst game of all time by Electronic Gaming Monthly. The full-motion cut scenes for both games were called “infamous” and “cheesy” by IGN, while others called them “bizarre” and “an absolute joke”.
4. Superman 64 for the Nintendo 64
Where as the Nintendo 64 was a step above every other console at the time this game took a step back. This game was largely criticized for having unnecessary repetitive, difficult and confusing objectives, unnecessarily short time limits that left no margin for error, poor graphics and poor controls. 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 and GameDaily.
5. Kabuki Warriors for the Xbox
Though critics attacked the graphics and overall presentation of Kabuki Warriors as exceptionally bad, they rated the game’s easy and repetitive gameplay as its greatest shortcoming. GameSpot remarked that “The combo system, which revolves around that one attack button… essentially consists of slamming the A button repeatedly to execute multiple attacks.” In support of this claim, Team Xbox’s reviewer recounted “I held the controller for my two year old and told him to keep pressing the A button. It averages 32/100 on Metacritic based on 15 reviews.
6. Charlie’s Angels for the Play Station 2 and GameCube
The game has a rating of 23 on Metacritic.Game Informer said “This game is nothing short of an embarrassment.” GameSpot called it a “horrific display of ineptitude.” On GameRankings, Charlie’s Angels received a 23%, with 24 reviews. The game was ranked #1 on GameTrailers’ list of the Top 10 Worst Movie Games of all time.
7. Peter Jackson’s King Kong for the Nintendo DS and PSP
Holds an aggregate score of 28/100 on Metacritic. GameSpot gave it a 2.1/10, calling it such a poor excuse of a first-person shooter that other developers should study it and use it as a guide when putting together similar style shooters in the future.IGN gave it a 3.0/10, explaining that the “gameplay stinks, the fighting stinks, the puzzles stink, the bugs problems stink. Enjoy!”
8. Bomberman: Act Zero for the Xbox 360
The game received negative critique from many reviewers due to its contrasts from other Bomberman games, such as a more rustic cyberpunk theme over the colorful and cartoonish style of other Bomberman games. The game has a a Metacritic score of 34/100, and averages 33% out of 56 reviews on GameRankings. The game won the 2006 Flat-Out Worst Game by GameSpot.
9. Sonic the Hedgehog for the SBOX 360 and Playstation 3
GamesRadar called the story “ridiculously overwrought” and “conceptually challenged.”GameTrailers concluded that the game is “flat-out unfinished, unfairly difficult, and most importantly, just isn’t much fun.”GameSpot called the game “a mess from top to bottom.” ScrewAttack called the game the “Worst Video Game of the Decade” on their “SAGY Awards 2009″ list, winning against Big Rigs.
10 .Walk It Out! for the Wii
GameFan said Walk It Out is easily the top contender for “2010’s Worst Game of the Year.” What is the purpose of the game, why would anyone want to do the same thing over and over and over again.