3 Games So Bad They Ruined Franchises

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Many video game series have lots of installments – the Mario franchise is a prime example. Most series have between three and ten games, and when a new one is released, existing fans are usually eager to play. If the new game is well-received, the series continues to do well. But a bad game can really hurt it, and occasionally, a truly terrible game can even end the franchise altogether. While it takes a really bad game to completely ruin a series, it has happened before. Here are three examples, presented in a random order.

1) Star Fox Zero

The Star Fox series began in 1993 with a very successful game on the Super Nintendo. Four years later, Star Fox 64 for the Nintendo 64 was even more popular. While the franchise hasn’t had many installments, it continued until 2016 with the release of Star Fox Zero. Unfortunately, this new game was a major disappointment. Critics found it too short, lacking in new ideas, and difficult to control. It didn’t sell well and became the lowest-performing game in the series. Even the release of Star Fox 2 the next year couldn’t fix the damage done by Star Fox Zero.

2) Medal of Honor: Warfighter

Before Call of Duty dominated the WWII first-person shooter genre, Medal of Honor was the leading title. However, Call of Duty quickly became more popular. While Medal of Honor didn’t disappear completely, the 2012 release, Medal of Honor: Warfighter, proved to be its downfall. The game looked impressive, but poor artificial intelligence and a confusing storyline disappointed both critics and players. Though it sold 3 million copies, this was far below Electronic Arts’ expectations, leading to the franchise being put on hold. The only subsequent release was Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond in 2020, a virtual reality game that also didn’t perform well in sales.

3) Duke Nukem Forever

Released in 1996, Duke Nukem 3D was a massive success, becoming a true part of pop culture. Fans eagerly awaited a sequel, and after 14 years in development, Duke Nukem Forever was finally released in 2011. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations. Critics and players alike found the game outdated, with a weak story, tired jokes, and clunky gameplay. It was a poorly finished product that didn’t sell well, damaging the Duke Nukem franchise. Currently, Duke Nukem Forever remains the last game released in the series.

Okay, so I’m curious – what’s the most disappointing game you’ve ever played that was supposed to wrap up a whole series? Hit me with your answers in the ComicBook Forum – let’s talk about it!

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2026-03-16 15:12