Sequels are a tricky thing in the gaming world. While they can often be a great way to expand upon a beloved game, they can also be a disaster, leaving fans disappointed and begging for the original game to return. From poor design choices to rushed development, here are 10 of the worst gaming sequels in history.
10- Sonic The Hedgehog (2006)
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Sonic the Hedgehog has been around for decades and it’s no secret that the 2006 version was a huge disappointment. Many fans were left wondering why Sega would even attempt to make such a huge change to their beloved franchise. The sequel was a rushed mess of glitches, poor controls, and awkward camera angles. It lacked the tight platforming mechanics and memorable characters that made the original games so beloved. The story was convoluted and the voice acting was laughable. Uninspired level design, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of content made Sonic 2006 the worst Sonic game of all time. Players were left frustrated and unfulfilled. Sonic 2006 was an embarrassment to the Sonic franchise, and it is still remembered as one of the most poorly received sequels of all time.
9- Duke Nukem Forever
Photo Credit: VG247
Duke Nukem Forever is a game that has earned its title as the worst sequel ever. It was released in 2011, over a decade after the original game was released. Its long development cycle was marred by numerous delays and restarted development. Fans of the original game were incredibly disappointed when the game was finally released. Its poor visuals, outdated mechanics, and buggy gameplay all contributed to its negative reception. The game was seen as a huge step back from its predecessor. It was a huge let down for those who had been waiting years to play the sequel. Its poor reception caused the game to quickly drop in price and become a forgotten relic in the gaming world. Duke Nukem Forever was a huge misstep in game development that will live in infamy.
8- Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest
Photo Credit: Nintendo Life
Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest is widely considered one of the worst sequels ever released. After being a critical success, the follow-up game featured poor design decisions and unbalanced levels. The game’s structure was confusing, with a lack of maps and unclear objectives. Enemies were too powerful and the player’s weapons were weak. The game also had issues with glitches and poor collision detection. The limited save system added to the frustration. Unintuitive puzzles and an unforgiving timer made the game even harder. The soundtrack was also lackluster, with nothing memorable. The game received mostly negative reviews from critics and fans alike. It was a huge disappointment for a beloved franchise and one of the worst sequels ever created.
7- Halo 4
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Halo 4 was the worst sequel to the beloved Halo game series. Its graphics were outdated, its storyline was overly complicated, and its combat mechanics were uninspired. Players felt let down by the game’s lack of innovation. Multiplayer was plagued by glitches, and the campaign was too short. The new characters lacked personality and the plot felt rushed. Players felt disconnected from the game and its characters. The game’s visuals were also lackluster, and its dialogue was dull. The multiplayer maps were too small, and the weapons weren’t varied enough. The lack of custom game options was a major disappointment. The game’s online matchmaking system was unbalanced and unreliable. The soundtrack was forgettable and the story was muddled. Players had high hopes for the game, but it failed to deliver. Halo 4 was a major letdown for fans of the series.
6- Street Fighter IV
Photo Credit: Attack of The Fanboy
The original Street Fighter was a classic. But its sequel, Street Fighter IV, was a big letdown. The gameplay was clunky and slow. The animations were stiff and awkward. The characters felt generic and soulless. The story was disjointed and confusing. The levels were drab and uninspiring. The sound design was repetitive and uninteresting. The controls were unresponsive and difficult to use. The graphics were dated and unattractive. The enemies were too easy and predictable. The rewards were too few and far between. The overall design lacked imagination and creativity. In short, Street Fighter IV was an uninspired mess.
5- Call of Duty: Ghosts
Photo Credit: Gaming Bolt
Call of Duty: Ghosts is a first-person shooter video game developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. The game was released in 2013 and was the tenth installment in the Call of Duty series. It was met with a mixed reception from both critics and fans alike. The campaign mode featured a different story than its predecessors, and the multiplayer mode had unimpressive maps and a lack of customization. The game was criticized for its lackluster graphics, its lack of innovation, and its poor optimization. The poor performance of the game led to a steep decline in sales and the game was labelled as one of the worst sequels in the franchise.
4- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5
Photo Credit: IGN
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 was the fifth installment in the iconic Tony Hawk Pro Skater series. It was released in 2015 and was met with a great deal of disappointment. The game was criticized for its poor graphics, lack of innovation, and unresponsive controls. Furthermore, the game was heavily criticized for its numerous bugs, glitches, and technical issues. Players reported that the game crashed frequently, and the online servers were unreliable. Other problems included missing content, long loading times, and difficulty navigating menus. Additionally, the game was seen as a huge step backward from its predecessors. The game received overwhelmingly negative reviews from both fans and critics alike. The legacy of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater series was tarnished by the poor reception of this installment, and it has since been all but forgotten.
3- Mass Effect: Andromeda
Mass Effect: Andromeda was a highly anticipated game that had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, its sequel failed to deliver. Poor graphics and a lack of content left players feeling let down. Animations were stiff and glitches were frequent. Combat was slow and tedious. Opponents were uninspiring and the dialogue was cheesy. Crafting and mining were repetitive and tedious. The story was shallow and lacked the depth of the original trilogy. Side quests were unimaginative and grinding was required to progress. Character customization was restrictive and the inventory system was a mess. Crafting and research were confusing and time-consuming. Animation and facial expressions were poor. Voice acting was subpar and the soundtrack was forgettable. In the end, Mass Effect: Andromeda was a disappointing game with an unimpressive sequel.
2- Bubsy 3D
Photo Credit: Kotaku
Bubsy 3D was a game that had a lot of promise, but ultimately failed to deliver. Released in 1996 for the Playstation, it featured awkward controls, poor level design, and dated graphics. Players found navigating the 3D world extremely difficult, as the camera angles often switched without warning. Combat was clunky and unsatisfying due to the limited range of the character’s attacks. The game’s humor was also off-putting, with its over-the-top one-liners and pop culture references. Despite its flaws, Bubsy 3D sold well enough to spawn two sequels, neither of which achieved much success. Ultimately, the game was a reminder of the importance of quality over quantity.
1- Mega Man X7
Photo Credit: IGN
Mega Man X7 is a classic action-platforming game that has sadly been marred by its poor sequel. Players take control of the titular character, X, and his sidekick Zero to fight their way through a series of levels filled with enemies. The game’s graphics and sound have aged well, making it a pleasure to play. However, the game’s controls and level design are clunky and often frustrating, leading to a poor overall experience. The game’s sequel, Mega Man X7, only makes matters worse. It features a complex control system, lengthy loading times, and a convoluted story that fails to engage the player. As a result, the game is widely considered to be the worst title in the franchise. Despite its flaws, Mega Man X7 still remains a classic and can be enjoyed by fans of the series.
