Throughout the history of gaming, we’ve been treated to some undisputed classics. These retro favorites have shone on a number of much-loved consoles, such as the Nintendo 64, and continue to be enjoyed by gamers today. Not every retro release is worth tracking down, though.
These days, gamers have more choices than ever before. While firing up a retro gem is a preference for many, there are also some products to avoid. People don’t just have retro games to consider either, with many players also opting to use platforms like Steam to sample some modern-day favorites while also exploring other online destinations with quality games download options. There is still clearly an appetite for the very best retro games, though.
These days, retro classics like Super Mario 64, Resident Evil 2, and Mega Man are being enjoyed by modern-day gamers, but they can get lost among some terrible retro releases that are still circulating. So, to ensure that you avoid wasting your valuable time on an undoubted disaster, below is a brief look at some of the worst retro titles ever made.
ET the Extra-Terrestrial
After Steven Spielberg sold the game rights to his film for $25 million, big things were expected of ET the Extra-Terrestrial. In the end, though, this rushed release that took just six weeks to make was truly horrible. It was easy to see why thousands of copies went unsold, with the title being filled with issues and feeling like nothing more than a cash grab off the back of the success of the movie. People understandably loved ET at the time, but this 1982 release didn’t do him any favors.
Custer’s Revenge
Honestly, don’t bother with Custer’s Revenge. A 1992 title that was released on the iconic Atari 2600, this frankly weird game probably wouldn’t be allowed today. In the game, players take on the role of General Custer, a character who is attempting to sleep with a native American woman who is tied to a pole. An entirely shameful release that offered nothing but strong doses of creepiness, hopefully, Custer’s Revenge will never be seen again.
Bubsy 3D
A 1996 title, Bubsy 3D was released on the first PlayStation console. While Sony’s first-ever console machine boasts plenty of retro classics, Bubsy 3D definitely isn’t one of them. This platform title featured a critter on a variety of missions, although it failed to hit the mark. The game’s 3D engine was appalling, the uncontrollable camera was incredibly annoying, and there wasn’t really anything good about it.
Bad Street Brawler
A 1989 release many more senior members of the gaming community might recall, Bad Street Brawler was playable on the NES Power Glove controller, but it didn’t really deliver. In fact, the game was terrible. Playing as Duke Davis, a former punk rocker, players had to take down midgets and bulldogs with a limited selection of moves. The failed glove gadget, therefore, felt like a pointless inclusion as it offered nothing to the overall experience and only allowed players to execute three moves.
Hotel Mario
Mario games have generally always delivered, although Hotel Mario definitely didn’t. In this one, Nintendo joined forces with Philips Interactive Media and it really didn’t work. The game was filled with dull puzzles, it had painfully bad animated cut-scenes, and it was just an all-around bad take on a beloved character. Some other bad retro games include The Guy Game, Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, Daikatana, Bomberman Act Zero, BMX XXX, Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing, Bad: Altered Beast, and Metroid: Other
