Hindsight is invaluable in the world of video games. There are some titles that arrive prematurely, requiring the rest of the gaming industry to catch up to their ideas and execution. In other instances, a substantial distance from the original release dates can help to provide breathing room for reevaluation.
A number of factors, including harsh critical reception, can sink a game’s mainstream success. However, that doesn’t mean that unappreciated gems won't find a passionate fanbase and develop a cult following over time.
10 Killer7 Is An Assassin Revenge Tale With Cumbersome Controls
Suda51 has continually proven himself to be one of the gaming industry's most fascinating and fearless storytellers and developers. This typically results in strange games that are fascinating to watch and discuss, but it doesn't always translate into palatable gameplay. Killer7 is a cel-shaded assassin story that embraces a lot of entertaining action tropes, but they don't all come together.
The atypical control scheme and convoluted narrative are the biggest hurdles to get past, but those that do absolutely love the unusual action game. Many of the ideas in Killer7 would be executed to better effect in later Suda51 games.
9 Kid Icarus Trips Over Itself And Succeeds Through Cult Of Personality
Nintendo is fortunate enough to have many popular franchises that have taken off, so it's not the end of the world if some of their titles underperform. Kid Icarus is a challenging platformer with lots of personality that has its roots in the original Nintendo and Game Boy, but beyond a Nintendo 3DS sequel and Super Smash Bros. representation, it's a series that's struggled to be remembered.
The original NES game was received as a flawed, but entertaining take on a platformer. Its distinct sense of humor has helped it remain popular with select crowds.
8 Jet Force Gemini Is A Unique Sci-Fi Shooter With Winning Characters
Rare's collaborations with Nintendo before they were acquired by Microsoft reflect some of the best third-party games to come out for the Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64. N64 Rare adventure games begin to exhibit bloat through laborious collection tasks. However, Jet Force Gemini is a mature third-person shooter that pits a pair of twins and their dog against an insect alien threat.
Jet Force Gemini regularly gets overlooked among Rare's Nintendo contributions and critics felt like it couldn't compete with the other shooters on the console. Jet Force Gemini has a vocal crowd and the game's cooperative play is a rare treat for N64 shooters.
7 System Shock's Strong Ideas Don't Get Perfected Until Its Sequel
The BioShock trilogy is heralded as innovative and groundbreaking shooters that create rich, alternate realities. However, BioShock wouldn't exist without the groundwork that's established in System Shock and its sequel. System Shock 2 is still viewed as one of the greatest PC titles of its generation, but its imperfect predecessor still has a lot of kinks to work out.
System Shock is charming for its time and what it attempts to do with both the sci-fi and shooter genres, but it largely feels irrelevant because of how its sequel perfects the formula. Both System Shock games still have a passionate, active online mod community.
6 Rez Is A Kaleidoscopic, Musical Rail Shooter Experience That Lacks Substance
Sega's Dreamcast was ahead of its time in general as a gaming console. Fortunately, many titles that weren't properly appreciated on the Dreamcast received new life on the PlayStation 2 or Xbox. Rez is a radical rail shooter that utilizes its techno soundtrack to prompt players as to when to shoot.
It culminates into a powerful synesthesia experience, but some critics claimed it was too much style over substance. Rez hasn't grown into a major franchise, but a small devoted fandom has helped it receive an HD port and VR release. Rez also has some creative peripherals that have received polarizing responses, too.
5 Yoshi’s Story Is A Fun Game That Lacks Challenge
Yoshi has been popular ever since his prominent appearance in Super Mario World, and he's gradually become the star of his own series of games. Yoshi's Story for the Nintendo 64 builds upon the foundation of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.
Yoshi's Story is a delightful platformer with excellent visuals, but it was understandably criticized for its extremely short length and easy difficulty level. These complaints are valid, but select audiences have found satisfaction in speed-running Yoshi's Story and incorporating their own increased challenges.
4 MadWorld Is A Mature, Violent Wii Game That Wears Out Its Welcome
Nintendo isn't averse to mature games, but they've lovingly embraced their family-friendly image. This was especially true with the Wii, which brought in all sorts of casual audiences who have never played games before. MadWorld is a highly stylized change of pace that delivers a blood-soaked adventure where players control a chainsaw-wielding maniac.
MadWorld embraces a black-and-white aesthetic, except for the distinctly red blood that flies everywhere, reminiscent of Sin City. MadWorld is the mature hack-and-slash title that older audiences were waiting for, but critics attacked it for its simplistic controls and repetitive combat.
3 PlayStation 2's Dark Cloud Couldn't Compete With Nintendo's Zelda
Sony’s PlayStation 2 is still regarded as one of the best video game consoles of all time, and so many of Sony’s ongoing intellectual properties found their start on the PS2’s upgraded technology. Dark Cloud was an expansive fantasy-action RPG title that was teased to be the PlayStation 2’s answer to The Legend of Zelda.
Dark Cloud establishes an impressive foundation, and it seamlessly incorporates a city-building mechanic into its RPG gameplay. Dark Cloud wasn’t completely savaged by the critics, but it was condemned for monotonous combat, lackluster graphics, and failing to match the heights of Ocarina of Time. However, Dark Cloud 2 received a warmer reception.
2 The Wonderful 101 Struggled To Stand Out On The Wii U
Nintendo saw overwhelming success with its Wii and Switch consoles, but the Wii U was a misfire. There are some excellent Wii U exclusives that take advantage of its unique Gamepad control scheme. The Wonderful 101 has recently been ported to modern consoles, but for years it was stranded on the Wii U.
The Wonderful 101 provides a twist on the strategy genre that allows players to control dozens of hive-minded individuals. Critics applauded its efforts, but also highlighted its niche nature and imperfect controls. The inherently small Wii U audience resulted in a dedicated cult following that could help support its Kickstarter efforts for its modern releases.
1 Beyond Good & Evil Is A Classic That Bites Off More Than It Can Chew
Michel Ancel is perhaps best known for being Rayman’s creator, but his extremely ambitious multi-platform release, Beyond Good & Evil was supposed to be his crowning achievement. The game is a unique action-adventure and stealth hybrid where players control Jade, an investigative reporter. Jade attempts to take down a comprehensive extraterrestrial conspiracy through a series of puzzles, combat, and adventure.
Beyond Good & Evil was an undeniable accomplishment back in 2003, but there was a lack of fanfare that led to subpar sales. However, the game still has devoted fans nearly two decades after its release. Just don’t ask them about when the sequel is supposed to come out.