One of the Biggest IPs in Entertainment Had One of the Worst N64, PS1 Games Ever

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South Park is a hugely influential part of modern pop culture. Over the years, its characters have become instantly recognizable, its lines have turned into popular internet memes, and its sharp wit has inspired countless artists and writers. As the show nears its 30th anniversary, it’s become much more than just a TV comedy – it’s a billion-dollar franchise with a lasting impact.

Today, fans have lots of good South Park games and other media to choose from, but that wasn’t always the case. The very first South Park video games received mostly average to poor reviews. While the versions for Nintendo 64 and PlayStation were pretty bad, they actually led the show’s creators to take a bigger role in making future games, which turned out much better.

How South Park Came To Gaming

Premiering in 1997, South Park rapidly became a popular and critically acclaimed show for Comedy Central. What began as a deliberately shocking and crude comedy evolved into a sharp and insightful satire, attracting a young audience with its outrageous humor and earning praise from reviewers. While adults appreciated its social commentary, its simple, often shocking, comedy also made it a hit with kids, despite being controversial. It was natural, therefore, that video games based on the show were soon in the works. Acclaim Entertainment secured the rights and quickly began developing games based on the series.

The first game based on South Park was a first-person shooter where players controlled Stan, Kyle, Cartman, or Kenny. They used weapons found around town to stop strange happenings caused by a mysterious comet. Released for the Nintendo 64 on December 21, 1998, the game was built using a modified version of the Turok 2: Seeds of Evil engine. While fun, it suffered from clunky controls and simple graphics.

Honestly, the constant quotes from the show got old really fast. And it felt like the game just skimmed the surface of what made South Park great – it was missing all the heart and cleverness that went beyond just shock value. They eventually brought it to PC and PlayStation, trying to time the release with the Bigger, Longer & Uncut movie, but the versions on those platforms were pretty rough. That pretty much sums up how critics felt about the whole game, unfortunately.

Why South Park Flopped Critically

When South Park was first released, critics didn’t like it, largely because of its weak graphics and sound. The Nintendo 64 version was playable, though somewhat boring, as a first-person shooter. However, the versions for PC and PlayStation were even worse, with downgraded visuals and music. The split-screen multiplayer mode also wasn’t as enjoyable as it was on the N64. While the game sold well thanks to the popularity of the South Park brand, it didn’t stand out like other popular first-person shooters from that time.

Because of the poor reception, Acclaim had to rethink its plans for the South Park franchise. Instead of making a direct sequel, they created two spin-off games: the party game South Park: Chef’s Luv Shack and the racing game, South Park Rally. Unfortunately, both of these also received negative reviews and didn’t sell well. It wasn’t until nine years later, in 2009, that another South Park video game, South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play!, was released – and critics generally liked it much more.

The Failure Of Acclaim’s South Park Titles Led To Better Games

Early South Park games weren’t well-received by critics, and one Game Boy Color game was even cancelled. This led to a period with very few South Park video games. However, it ultimately proved beneficial. South Park’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, were unhappy with the initial games and decided to take a more active role in future development. This hands-on approach resulted in South Park: The Stick of Truth, a story-rich, turn-based RPG that truly captured the show’s humor and spirit.

The team collaborated closely with Obsidian and Ubisoft to capture the unique humor and feel of the South Park show. Their first game, Stick of Truth, was a hit with both critics and players, winning awards and paving the way for South Park: The Fractured But Whole. Since then, South Park Digital Studios has been involved in several other games – some were well-received, while others, like South Park: Snow Day!, didn’t measure up to the quality of the earlier titles. However, this represents significant progress. Looking back, those initial, less successful games may have actually convinced Trey Parker and Matt Stone to take a more hands-on role in future South Park games. Without those early missteps, the show’s creators might not have become so involved, potentially depriving fans of one of the most hilarious and inventive RPGs ever made.

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2025-12-22 21:14