It’s funny how often games that everyone expects to fail actually become huge successes. We’re taking a look at three titles that were predicted to flop, but instead became major hits and really changed the gaming world. These games show that first impressions aren’t always accurate, and that true success often comes from a combination of clever ideas, a strong community, and being released at the right time.
During Jump Festa 2024 last December, WIT Studio and Netflix announced they were creating a remake. They’ve shown some early concept art and character designs, but haven’t said when it will be released. This suggests the remake might take a while, though we could learn more next year. In a message from creator Eiichiro Oda, shared on the official One Piece X account, he confirmed the remake is moving forward, but that was the extent of the update for this year.
The films needed to have been shown widely to the public during that period. Limited releases, even if they qualified for Academy Awards like A Beautiful Mind, Monster, Match Point, Children of Men, and The Revenant, didn’t count. The films had to be accessible to audiences across the United States – and generally, around the world.
It’s funny how often games that don’t seem promising turn out to be incredibly popular and influential. We’re taking a look at three titles that everyone predicted would fail, but instead became huge successes and changed gaming for the better. They show that first impressions aren’t always accurate, and that a game’s true strength often comes from innovative ideas, a strong player base, and being released at the right moment.
A new, unforgettable character emerged in 1932, quickly becoming as famous as Dracula and Frankenstein. From the start, he was defined by being frightening, captivating, and unsettling. Many modern horror characters who impact audiences through their appearance, actions, and manipulation owe a debt to this classic film. It’s a stunning example of suspense, remarkable for its time and still effective today.
When DC Comics announced the 32 fighters in the tournament, a lot of fans questioned why Harley Quinn was included. DC has been heavily promoting Harley lately, so it seemed odd to some that she’d be competing against much more powerful characters. Many worried the competition would be rigged to let her advance unfairly. However, as Harley faces Zatanna, the real reason for her participation in DC K.O. becomes clear.
A recent industry report suggests that experts believe Spider-Man is more likely to drive the future success of the Marvel brand than the Avengers or other leading characters.
Even though Jump Festa 2026 had its share of ups and downs, there were still some really big announcements. I was especially excited to see some anime series making a comeback after being off the air for over five years. Looking back at everything that was revealed, here are the ten announcements that stood out to me the most.
As a longtime comic book reader, I remember when Marvel really pushed the Inhumans, but honestly, it didn’t quite land with fans. The books, especially after Charles Soule took over, just didn’t connect, and the whole line eventually faded away. It’s a bit ironic, because around the same time, Marvel regained the rights to the X-Men, and they absolutely killed it with the Krakoa Era – it became the biggest thing in comics! Poor Inhumans, though. They’ve gotten the short end of the stick ever since, to the point where even Ms. Marvel, their most popular character, was rewritten as a mutant. It’s tough being an Inhumans fan right now, but I think Marvel could really turn things around. They just need to look at what worked with the X-Men and apply those same lessons to the Inhumans.
With the Marvel Cinematic Universe continuing its exploration of the Multiverse, the villains are becoming more challenging. The upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday, will introduce Doctor Doom (played by Robert Downey Jr.), a famously brilliant tactician and magic user from the comics. While Doom is sure to be a major threat, the MCU has always featured villains who almost succeeded not through brute force, but through cunning and intelligence.