When you think of the worst video games ever, what springs to mind? The answer will likely depend on your age, what consoles you’ve played on and even what kind of games you enjoy. Everyone will have their own list of top ten gaming failures. Surely though there has to be some common ground? Titles which everyone agrees just simply sucked?
To find out, I’ve taken to well-respected video game and entertainment website IGN. Since their launch in 1996, they have been dishing out reviews by the hundreds so I’m expecting them to know a thing or two about what makes a great game.
So what games do they feel were the very worst ever made? I’ve scoured the archives to find the 20 titles with the lowest ever scores out of 10. These games are a mix of cash-in catastrophes, franchise failures, and just plain terrible titles.
In order to bring some balance to the universe, I’ve also found 10 of the best games out there. Although there are many more titles which have achieved the coveted 10 out of 10 rating, these 10 titles represent some of the finest games ever made.
So without further ado, here are the 10 worst games of all time and 10 of the very best according to IGN.
30 Worst: Game Boy Advance: NFL Blitz 2003 (1/10)
It appears that the reviewer of this game is a fan of the Blitz game series usually but this woeful handheld version has failed to impress. They go as far as to describe it as “the worst published game I’ve seen yet on the Game Boy Advance.”
So what went wrong?
Everything according to IGN. The play mechanics, artwork, animation, and game engine are all heavily criticized in this scathing review. It appears this one was an own goal, scoring just 1 out of 10.
29 Worst: Nintendo DS: Elf Bowling 1 & 2 (1/10)
I remember Elf Bowling. Back in the day, it was a simple browser game that went round and people played for approximately 37 seconds before abandoning it. I wondered if this game was related and it appears that it is.
The reviewer takes the time to tell us of the game’s origins in browsers before lamenting the decision to turn it into a title which you have to spend actual money to play. They describe it as “a single-chuckle joke that’s extended into a 20 dollar purchase.” Unsurprisingly it scored just 1 out of 10.
28 Best: PS4: God Of War (10/10)
In the opening paragraph, we see God of War described as “a masterful composition of exceptional interlocking parts.” This sentiment is shared by many reviewers who played this stunning game.
Every aspect of God of War checks the boxes for a great game.
Stunning graphics, immersive gameplay, excellent score. All are present and correct in the PS4 masterpiece. The Norse mythology-inspired title follows an amazing story which will hook anyone who plays. Well deserving of the perfect 10 out of 10 score.
27 Worst: PC: Extreme PaintBrawl (0.7/10)
The review for this paintball based shooter is as savage as the AI opponents. Back before Splatoon made paintballing games actually fun there was this poor effort.
The reviewer points out all the flaws in the title and there are so many.
Your AI teammates are apparently struck with “artificial stupidity” while your opponents are “dead-eye shots”. Not a good combination for any game, let alone a shooter.
According to IGN the highlight of this title is its soundtrack and even that’s chaotic. No wonder it scored just 0.7 out of 10.
26 Worst: PlayStation: Freestyle Boardin’ (1/10)
This Snowboarding simulator from back in 1999 scored a measly 1 out of 10 from IGN’s review team. The “mediocre, thrill-free” game comes under fire on all counts. Not only was it pushed out into a market already flooded with similar titles but it just doesn’t match up with any of them in terms of quality.
The gameplay is criticized for the feel of being “magnetized to the snow” and the lack of tricks is also remarked upon. If this wasn’t bad enough even the graphics and sound can’t save this snowboarding title from an avalanche of criticism.
25 Best: PS3, Xbox 360: Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition (10/10)
Grand Theft Auto is a franchise which has delivered some amazing games. Known for its action and tongue-in-cheek humor, as well as its adult-oriented content, the franchise has produced some truly groundbreaking titles. Both GTA IV and GTA V got a resounding 10 out of 10 from IGN and it’s easy to see why.
Comprising of more than 90 immersive story missions, each one taking days to complete, set against a stunning background and awesome soundtrack GTA IV is a game which keeps on giving. No wonder it’s described as “a revolutionary title”.
24 Worst: PlayStation: C: The Contra Adventure (1/10)
The eighth installment of the Contra series was developed by Appaloosa Interactive and appears to take the franchise to a new low. After the decidedly average Contra: Legacy of War, which scored 6 out of 10, C: The Contra Adventure plunged all the way down to a score of just 1 out of 10.
So what happened?
It appears that the game is missing the key components of “excellent gameplay and top-notch presentation” so revered in the original games. This title is said to “lack any polish” and be “unfairly difficult” leaving this Contra fan reviewer very disappointed.
23 Worst: Mobile: Baywatch Beach Volleyball (1/10)
22 Best: Game Boy Color: Pokémon Gold (10/10)
Pokémon Gold is one of several games from the popular franchise to reach the highest score of 10 out of 10. The Game Boy color title is described as “one of the deepest and most well-designed” games for the platform.
The Pokémon games mostly follow the same blueprint but it really is a case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Each title adds new Pokémon and its own little twists which have kept the franchise churning out hit after hit. When the game is said to be “long, challenging and tremendous fun to play” it’s easy to see why this incarnation achieved that perfect score.
21 Worst: PlayStation: Simpsons Wrestling (1/10)
This badly designed franchise cash-in was released back in 2001 when both The Simpsons and wrestling were incredibly popular. Combining the two seemed like a great idea to execs who green-lit this catastrophe.
Sadly the combination was a disaster.
The simplistic controls, horrible animation and lack of decent attack moves are all cited as great reasons to pass on this “garbage”. Not even the addition of The Simpsons voice cast to the soundtrack could save this title, which scores just 1 out of 10.
20 Worst: PlayStation: Revolution X (1/10)
Revolution X is an arcade rail shooter featuring Aerosmith. The premise is that players must battle the New Order Nation, to a soundtrack unsurprisingly comprising mostly of Aerosmith songs, in order to rescue the rock band.
The review is scathing with the opening sentence of “It isn’t often a game comes along that’s this bad” setting the tone. The graphics and gameplay are both slated, as is the soundtrack. The game scores just 1 out of 10. You’d be mad to hunt out this title.
19 Best: Game Boy Color: The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Ages (10/10)
The Legend of Zelda is another franchise with several games scoring top marks from IGN. Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons are considered to be “saving the best until last” by the reviewer. They display many of the qualities The Legend of Zelda is famous for including lengthy quests and an immersive storyline.
Lauded for its “perfect pace” in questing as well as the level of detail, impressive for the time and platform this title is well worth the investment. The “must-est of must buys” title is also described as “fun and engaging” as well as “beautifully crafted”. A deserving title which scores 10 out of 10.
18 Worst: PC: Extreme Watersports (1/10)
Back in the late 1990’s Head Game’s released a whole host of games with Extreme in the title. From what we can gather the only extreme thing about them was the disappointment if you played one.
Scoring just 1 out of 10 this watersports game is all washed up.
In this review, we are talked through the process of gameplay. Each game mode appears to involve a lot of loading screens and critical errors and very little action. Add some terrible product placement and dodgy mechanics and the title is complete or rather incomplete.
17 Worst: PlayStation: Fantastic Four (1/10)
Fantastic Four is a franchise which somehow seems to fail on all accounts. The movies have all garnered decidedly unimpressive reviews and this spin off game was no exception.
The no holds barred slating begins by describing this title as “a new low point for the industry” and it doesn’t improve from there.
A 2D game trying to appear 3D, Fantastic Four is criticized for its “jerky animation”, “abysmal” controls and “tediously slow” response. The scores on the doors are just 1 out of 10.
16 Best: Switch, Mac, PC, PS4: Undertale (10/10)
Undertale is one of the most unique games in recent history and one which took many people by surprise. The RPG focuses on fantastic storytelling to immerse you in its world.
The writing is described as “consistently funny” as well as “touching” and “strong”. It is this which drives the story as you immerse yourself into the narrative.
Puzzles and combat mini-games are also added to the adventure in which every choice you make matters. While it isn’t without some frustrations it will keep you interested every step of the way earning it a perfect 10 out of 10.
15 Worst: Dreamcast: ESPN NBA 2Night (1/10)
Sports games can often come in for some backlash when reviewed, often because they are too similar to a predecessor. Not so for this NBA game which appears in a truly terrible league of its own.
Describing it as “the sorriest excuse for a game I have ever seen on the Dreamcast” the reviewer doesn’t hold back.
The animation, the physics, the gameplay are all described as “broken”. It appears there are no upsides to this game which was given a dismal score of just 1 out of 10.
14 Worst: Mobile: Fury Of The Hulk (1/10)
The genre of this game alone is enough to see why it’s described as a “cheap cash-in cellphone game.” It’s a puzzle game. Yep, you read that right, a puzzler. Surely the genre least likely to ever be associated with either fury or The Hulk?
The reviewer at IGN had the same thought and describes this monstrosity as “a slap in the face.”
The big hulk hand which smashes tanks in neat rows of 3 may have been better employed smashing the phone to save you playing this game. Another dismal score of just 1 out of 10. It seems the game is as good as the 2003 movie it’s a spin-off from.
13 Best: Game Boy Color: Mario Golf (10/10)
This “must have” title for the Game Boy Color is a fun and quirky golf game featuring Mario. While the Mario franchise has had some misfires this golf game is not one of them. The game has lots of nice touches and is actually an RPG-style adventure.
The challenges and storyline aspect are great additions to a fun game.
Touted as a title for all, even if you aren’t a golf fan this Mario title hit a hole in one, scoring 10 out of 10.
12 Worst: PC: NRA Varmint Hunter (1/10)
Putting aside the subject matter for a moment, the reviewer still finds this one of the worst games ever. This appears due to simplistic and dull mechanics including the inability to move.
You read that right, in this game you cannot move at all.
Standing in one location you move your sights and hit that space bar to shoot a variety of varmints. Unlike actual varmint hunting, there are no complex reloads or really any other mechanics at all. Just point and shoot. No wonder it only scored 1 out of 10.
11 Worst: Sega Saturn: Crypt Killer (1/10)
This shooter is a horror game described as “trying too hard to be a Virtua Cop style light-gun shooter.” The game is slated for being “a pathetic, mindless shooter,” and the gameplay is the main thing under fire.
A lack of innocent bystanders means you can simply mindlessly point and shoot, no skill required.
There are also said to be issues with sub-par graphics and a lack of variety in the scenarios. Overall this horror shooter failed to impress, scoring a measly 1 out of 10.
