It’s a tough life to be a protagonist in a video game. If your game sucks, you’re relegated to the back pages of gaming history, no matter how much of a badass you are.
With this in mind, here’s a list of fantastic characters done dirty by the title they call home.
Key Information
Bend Studio
PlayStation
Release Date
October 1996
If you ask gamers whatthe worst PlayStation game of all timeis, many will sayBubsy 3D. I can think of a few far more flawed games, but it’s a dreadful title we could do without.
Bubsy 3Dis ahorrific 3D platformerwith atrocious graphics, uninspired level designs, a sickly color palette, and goofy controls. Every level is a slog, and if this were your first video game, it would likely be your last.
That said, the idea of playing as a wise-cracking cat isn’t doomed from the start. Bubsy has potential; he justneeds better writing and a solid platformerto accommodate him.
Fortunately, Bubsy didn’t spend all nine lives onBubsy 3D, and his latest outing was as recent as 2019.
Evil Twin: Cyprien’s Chronicles
PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast
October 2001
Evil Twinis apoorly executed adventure game on the PlayStation 2, let down by awful controls and poor level design.
You play as Cyprien, anorphan with an alter egocalled “Super Cyp.” Cyprien and his friends get dragged into a dark fantasy world. The group is separated, and it’s up to Cyprien to save them.
While Super Cyp is just pretend, he’s very real in this strange new land with anarray of supernatural powers.
This one hurts because I love the idea and fantasy vibes ofEvil Twin. I’m confidentI tried to enjoy this title more than most, and while it sometimes hits the mark, there’s a reason we don’t have anEvil Twin 2.
Devil May Cry 2
Devil May Crywowed gamers with its flashyhack-and-slashcombat, intimidating bosses, andice-cool protagonist in Dante.
Expectations were high forDevil May Cry 2, but sadly, itpales compared to the originalin every way. Combat felt like a downgrade and was more tedious than challenging. The dialogue was sub-par, and the bosses were unmemorable.
Worst of all, series newcomer Lucia was introduced and could never gain a fanbase because the game sucked.
Lucia is more elegant than Dante, and there is some fun to be had with her fighting style. Unfortunately, her campaign is far too short, and she feels like collateral in a title mostDMCfans would rather forget about.
5Crunch Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
I’m a big fan ofCrash Bandicoot, but I was even disappointed with his first outing on the PlayStation 2. The visuals are lovely, but the laser-precise platforming of the original trilogy is replaced withgross, floaty physicswhere you doubt every jump.
One saving grace for the game is the introduction of a new antagonist in Crunch Bandicoot. He’s a powerhouse and immediately feelsmore threatening than Dr Cortexand even Uka Uka.
Crunch features in every boss battle and is notably more talkative than our tight-lipped protagonist.
Fortunately,Crunch survived his maiden voyageand still shows up in future titles.
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4Silver the Hedgehog
Sonic The Hedgehog (2006)
Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
Sonic 06is arguably the worstSonic the Hedgehoggame in existence and is abroken travesty from start to finish.
Nothing in this title works the way it should, but there are acouple of redeeming features. The graphics are decent, and some of the characters are, admittedly, pretty cool.
Silver the Hedgehog is a perfect example of a creative addition to the universe and easily one ofthe best in the series. It’s just a shameyou’ll learn to hate himduring your first battle.
I’ll never forget my first encounter with Silver. I got trapped next to a deck chair and had to restart my game as Silver kept hitting me. I dropped rings at my feet with every attack, so I couldn’t die.
The battle is decidedly on-brand forSonic 2006and a dreadful way to introduce a badass like Silver.
3Sion Barzahd
The Bouncer
The Bouncermarks an odd time for Squaresoft as it’s very different from the style of games the studio is known for.
Sion certainly looks like aFinal Fantasyprotagonist, and he’s propped up by his friends, Kou and Volt.The Bounceris an admirable attempt at acinematic 3D brawler, complete with stylish cutscenes and a fully voice-acted cast.
Sadly, the gameplay leaves plenty to be desired, andthe game is woefully short.
This may be a hot take, but I love The Bouncer despite its flaws. Combat is fun, if limited, and each cast member has a unique fighting style.
Thebosses are outrageously over the top(I’m looking at you, Mugetsu), and the main antagonist is so cool that he takes you on with one hand tied behind his back!
Regardless,The Bouncer was a commercial flop and an unceremonious end for Sion and Co.
Mega Man X7
TheMega Mangames are a staple in Capcom’s library andstill hold up today. But even a legendary series can miss the mark.
The best example of this isMega Man X7, whereCapcom went all in on 3Dover the traditional 2D perspective. There are some 2D sections that feel fine, but it makes the transitions even more jarring. Sadly, the result isa mediocre 3D adventure gameand a dreadful Mega Man title.
Thanks to the lousy gameplay,it’s easy to overlook Axl, a charismatic new entry to the roster. Axl is a bold, stylish protagonist and can hold his own alongside X and Zero. He’s mobile, headstrong, and surprisingly fleshed out through lengthy dialogue scenes.
Sadly, Axl hasn’t been seen since Mega Man X8 outside a few cameos and there arefar better gameswithout him in the franchise.
Superman 64
Many of you likely saw this coming, butthe Man of Steel triumphantly tops this listthanks to his adventure on the Nintendo 64.
For the uninitiated,Superman 64is thestuff of gaming legend. What do you expect from a Superman game? Beating up bad guys or fighting crime? Oh, if you’d be so lucky!
The first level ofSuperman 64has you flying through rings with some of themost deplorable controls imaginable. For some reason, this section is timed, and the controls are such a joke that you’ll never complete it on your first go.
Your next objective is to grab a car with a bomb inside and defuse it by “throwing it at the police department.” It’s like the developers didn’t know what to do with Superman, and his outing is apermanent stain on the N64 library.
Fortunately, Superman is such a beloved character thathe can shrug this one off. You can’t say the same for many on this list.
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