Top 10 Most Overrated Games

Top 10 Most Overrated Games

Written by Zeromage 168 Comments
Last Updated:: September 19, 2008

Oh boy, this is ganna be a controversial one. Your favorite game of all time listed on Old-Wizard’s most overrated video games of all time? Surely it can’t be! You know us though, we have a knack for knocking down the typical things people enjoy. In this list, we tried to think of games that just plain piss us off because everyone loves them and we think they’re total ass. Going into our thinking process when considering these overrated games were a lack of creativity and a lack of entertainment that these games possessed for us. We don’t understand why anyone would play them more than twice, but sometimes people do and other people think the game is good for this reason.

10. Earthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim was often championed for its innovative sounds and creative game play that expanded upon traditional side scrolling. None of these advances though could make this game less boring than it was to play it. Jumping on tires to get up to wires to hang on just sort of sucked. Nothing about this game grabbed me. It reminded me of that shitty ass Aladdin game where the only innovation in the side-scrolling format was being able to jump up to higher platforms. Jim’s weapons were dull. It was some average outer space laser beam. I really can’t keep talking about this game. It gives me a headache.

9. Prince of Persia

This game has garnered constant accolades for itself. It has transformed itself into a multi-platform adventure game. How is this possible with a game that has such poor controlling? You can’t make any of the jumps because when you press the jump button, the delay is 10 fucking seconds. Having to compensate for this poor response leaves you dead and bloody in a ditch. Master the jumping and you then you have to master the poor controls for the fighting. Mastering sword techniques in real life is much easier than mastering it in this game. The awful controlling of this game alone makes it shit, and confusing in its popularity.

8. Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 came to the Gamecube in order to scare the player like a real-time Hollywood movie. This game graphically looks cool for awhile, then becomes dull as hell, as you walk around a house with random things attacking you. Its not scary, its just bad horror flick shit, like when someone comes from behind you to try to attack you. You get the usual weapons to fight off the usual suspects. You can get devoured by parasitic monsters everywhere you turn. Where have I seen this before? How about every fucking Ghost n’ Goblins remake there ever was. The the over-the-shoulder approach to this game couldn’t save it from being just plain dull.

7. Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider was an average 3D action game for the Playstation that won its success off of nerds who were actually turned on by the video game’s graphical protagonist. Beyond the sexual caricature of Laura Croft was a bland shoot-em-up. When you played this game for an hour you would need to throw up from being so dizzy from the poor screen shots that would always move in and out depending on Laura Croft’s moves. Shoot up some wolves, jump backwards and wear tight shorts; this is everything that this game basically covered. Great video games will never be fooled by a pretty faced protagonist. This game is a perfect example of that maxim.

6. Sonic 3

At the end of Sonic 2, Sonic was worn out. Granted, Sonic 2 was a great improvement over Sonic 1, but as Sonic 2 was the apex of the Sega Genesis nerd’s fantasy for console domination. It saw it’s hopes dashed in this derivative sequel. Everything stayed the same. There’s Sonic, and Tails, and new levels with shitty music (compared to the often overlooked soundtrack of Sonic 2.) Sonic 3 though is championed amongst Sega gamers as continuing the Sonic “tradition” of always improving games. Oh yeah, you could play as Tails. Whew, what an improvement. This game didn’t improve enough on the Sonic series to garner the reputation that it received.

5. Mario 64

It is possible for Old-Wizard to dislike something that Nintendo made. There are plenty of games that were failures for the Nintendo franchise, but there were just too many good games to destabilize Nintendo’s power. One of the games we think that was overrated for the Nintendo franchise was Mario 64. It was made out to be huge, and it looked huge. But the storyline (that saw its height in Mario 3) was non existent, the controlling was below average, and game play was average compared to all of its memorable precursors. It’s not that Mario 64 was a bad game, it was just an overrated game that won its success off its new age blocky graphics. Beyond the graphics though, this Mario would not stand the test of time compared with the Mario’s for the SNES and NES.

4. GTA San Andreas

This game sucks. The cities are so big that you can’t even find the local grocery store. For some reason when you start off you’re being shot at immediately, making the game find itself in immediate violence over creative appeal. You really want to see how shitty of a game this was though? Listen to the music you had to listen to in the car. Listen to the DJ’s over the broadcast. They were both respectively more dull than modern radio, which is feat in itself. Beyond this shittyness was how slow the game could be. Have more than two cars on the screen and you could go make yourself a sandwich before you got out of your car. This was a failure for the GTA series. One of these games was enough without having to endure one that was less inspired.

3. Gunstar Heroes

Among other overrated aspects of the Sega Genesis, comes Gunstar Heroes, a game that tried to be sophisticated for its age but failed in most aspects. The storyline tried to be intricate, but was derivative and banal. The side scrolling action was nothing new. The recurring bosses made the game ever more boring, making the gamer feel like he was in an endless circle. The combo-based weapon system was supposed to seem innovative for the time but came was poorly engineered compared to all the advances that Nintendo was making at the time (especially with Super Metroid). This is one overrated game, but its always overrated by Sega fans.

2. Shining Force

RPG’s in the 16 bit age were some of the greatest games ever created, and for this we applaud SNES and Squaresoft for their timeless contributions to the genre. We don’t applaud the shitty excuse for a RPG called “Shining Force”. The characters were dull, the dialogue was meandering, and the story had trouble leading the gamer to anywhere beyond his bedroom. Beyond this, the game’s battles were grotesquely hard right from the beginning of the game. A mark of a poor game is its inability to let the gamer become acclimated to the game by starting off with easy battles (Ghosts n’ Goblins is the best example of this). This game had no merit to be called a true RPG in any sense.

1. Pokemon Red and Blue

It was because Pokemon Red and Blue that civilization had to endure the endless amounts of Pokemon-mania that came after it. The characters were irritatingly soft, and the game play tried too hard to be simple, and lacked the kind of depth needed to make a RPG great. The game certainly tried to act like an RPG, with turn based battles and areas in which you could speak to another friend, but c’mon, look at some of the enemies you had to face; happy bats and mice that looked like the kind of mice your cat brings back to you to show affection. RPG’s are great in that they transcend the small ambitions of the real world and escape into epic fantasies. Pokemon lowered the standards for the great game style of the RPG.

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168 Comments

#1 Alex says:
March 16th, 2010 at 4:41 pm

This list is a breath of fresh air. The comments (90% of which are outraged Halo isn’t on this list) are proof of that. Nice work guys!

#2 Chris H. says:
March 16th, 2010 at 4:45 pm

I’m sorry, Sega fans, but Sonic 3 absolutely belongs on this list. The fact that you can play as Tails is not a huge improvement over Sonic 2. You should’ve been able to play as Tails in Sonic 2. Both games are overrated IMO.

#3 Earl says:
March 16th, 2010 at 5:05 pm

pokemon was so freakin addictive and fun theres probably very few people who played that game and didn’t spend hours level up and catchin em all.

#4 George says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:54 pm

Fuck you Ben, Ocarina is one of the greatest games ever. I humbly request that you immediately get a vasectomy so as to never pass your shitty taste in games on to the next generation.

#5 Tony Branston says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:08 pm

Go back to GTA, listen to the talk shows, and tell me if you still think its boring.

#6 Lol @ You says:
March 16th, 2010 at 6:08 am

Lack of GTA = you fail.

#7 Lol @ You says:
March 16th, 2010 at 6:09 am

Let me rephrase, lack of GTA on the #1 spot = you fail

#8 daz says:
March 16th, 2010 at 6:22 pm

i have to agree for the most part with old wizard but i liked gun star hero’s and sonic 3 but where is halo 2 and 3 ?

#9 It's me! says:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:36 pm

This was a shitty list that has no reason to have even been published. GTA SA was a awesome game! I grew up with Maio 64. So just because halo is on other lists does not mean it’s can’t be on this one. C’mon, halo 3 has to be somewhere in there. You are just a guy sitting in front of a computer watching videos on youtube about the games listed above for you to see if they suck or not. I bet you don’t even play video games.

This website sucks pretty bad too.

#10 anonymous says:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:19 am

There’s a typo on this blog entry. It should read Top 10 Most Awesome Games.

#11 Sev says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:33 pm

I wouldn’t agree with most of these. Resident Evil 4 wasn’t quite scary but the controls and gameplay were great. Pokemon Red/Blue was also a great game even though alot were terrible. Mario 64 I would agree though.

#12 Zeno says:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:37 am

“We were simply sick of reading Overrated Games lists which included GTA4 and a couple of Halo games on them. (And we’re sure most of our readers were too, which is why they come here). That’s why Halo isn’t on the list.”

Well then it’s not really much of a Top 10 list, is it? Maybe all those lists include those games because they are, in fact, incredibly overrated. By any definition of “overrated” Halo should be up there.

#13 shadyparatroopa_of_ice says:
March 16th, 2010 at 9:11 pm

Pokewmon Red and blue isn’t a true RPG? It takes skill and Patience, you grow up with crying over the pokemon league, you battle, you have fun and it’s no1?
Fuck YOU!

#14 Anonymous says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:19 pm

Missing the point? Check.
Drawing false conclusions? Check.
Making shit up? Double-check.
Dragging the fanbase in for no reason? Check.
Check. Check. Check.
10/10
Masterful trolling.

#15 Jake says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:22 pm

Seriously? These are the most overrated games of all time? Have you ever even played video games?

You used some of the most innovative games of times periods and attempt to justify them as overrated. You fail.

#16 Bullshit says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:32 pm

No FF7? Wtf?

#17 Omelette du fromage says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:35 pm

This list sucks so much. There are so many games like Halo, FFVII, WoW, or COD4 out there, and they are way too overrated compared to these. I like how you base this list on your damn opinion and you don’t care about others.

Most of those games are fun enough to replay them a few times, and some of them are not overrated, just popular. Pokemon didn’t meant to reinvent the RPG genre, Gunstar Heroes was unique, and Shining Force is not even popular enough to be overrated. RE4 could be a bit overrated, but still is not that bad.

#18 OH U says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:46 pm

Must be April Fool’s Day today.

#19 ROCKET JOE-LUMBERMOUTH says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:47 pm

Way to ignore Halo, FF7 and Gears of War you pathetic sack of shit.

Go back to your butthurt Nintendroid hole.

#20 Crackfiend says:
March 16th, 2010 at 11:03 pm

Just because YOU couldn’t beat the top two doesn’t make them overrated, jackass

#21 ehal256 says:
March 16th, 2010 at 11:03 pm

Did you say Sonic 3 had shitty music? Wow. Sonic 2’s soundtrack was great, but Sonic 3 had just as many, if not more, amazing tunes. Also, remember Sonic 3 was in reality, only half of a game. By itself Sonic 3 was rather short and not that amazing, but when linked with Sonic & Knuckles, the game was an epic 30-odd stage masterpiece.

Some of the best videogame music ever comes from Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Hydrocity Zone (Act 2 is only the best sonic track ever.. imo)
Flying Battery
Ice Cap Zone
Lava Reef Zone
Sky Sanctuary Zone

Sonic 3 does have some bad levels and music (Sandopolis and Marble Garden), but so did Sonic 2 (Hill Top, Sky Chase (though the music was great)) and Sonic 1 (Marble Zone, Labyrinth Zone).

#22 oh god says:
March 16th, 2010 at 11:45 pm

I DONT THINK I COULD BE RAGING MUCH MORE

i was ready to punch a wall when i read 5
reading 1 actually made me punch a wall

10/10

#23 Chicara says:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:18 am

This list = terrible.

People who think it’s even halfway decent = terrible.

#24 Patrick Alexander says:
March 16th, 2010 at 3:47 am

I’m not a format snob; in fact I have a growing fondness for the list article: If you have a bunch of thoughts to share, and they’re loosely connected, just list them! Tying those assorted paragraphs together into a ‘flowing’ essay with a single main argument seems forced – almost sort of fake – in comparison, and a needless bother as well. What’s more, list articles are easier to read than essays: Each idea is presented in a small, digestable chunk – perfect for someone else to quote on their blog!

List articles are popular for a reason, and there’s nothing wrong – in fact, there’s everything right – with wanting as many people as possible to read what you’re writing. So list away, John Constantine and pals, and others like you! We ought to do list articles here at Eegra. We probably will, sooner or later.

Hm.But of course, most list articles are terrible. Because the form makes writing so easy, and because it’s so adaptable, bad writers – actually, make that delusional non-writers; certainly the majority of videogame articles on the internet are penned by them – use it as a crutch. Got nothing to say? Feeble, flabby brain? Wouldn’t know an original thought if it cut your dick off – with its business card? Games journalist? Not to worry! Think of a topic – let’s say eyeglasses – and make a list: ten videogame characters who wear glasses. The ten best? Ten worst? Ten sexiest? Whatever – the point is that before, you had 2000 words of filler to write; now, you have ten lots of 200, which is easy: just string together phrases you’ve heard elsewhere and you’ll have 200 words before you can think. Instant content!

Good old ‘content’. Not writing, exactly, but definitely words. You needn’t worry; gamers can’t tell the difference.

My point, I guess, is that good writing is good writing and bad writing is bad writing: There are stupid, pointless reviews and essays, and thoughtful, useful blog posts and list articles. And, uh, my other point is that more videogame-related writing should be about something, instead of about anything.

#25 FUCK YOU says:
March 16th, 2010 at 2:27 am

FUCK YOU! pokemon red and blue were 2 of the greatest games of all time

#26 Shadsilvson says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:46 am

Sonic 3?

Right that does it. I want to nail Old Wizard to the fucking cross.

#27 Disgruntled Reader says:
March 16th, 2010 at 11:08 pm

I can’t be bothered ranting in the slightest, so I’ll just say on thing… You sir, are an idiot. =)

#28 Dav says:
March 16th, 2010 at 5:11 am

Mario 64? Shining Force? POKEMON?

TO HELL WITH THE ELOQUENCE, RRRRAAAAAGE!!!!!!!

#29 Lanz16 says:
March 16th, 2010 at 9:03 am

Pokemon is truly deserving on this list.
I was a retired Pokemon fanboy and I found this game very repetitive and boring as of now.

There are many games that becomes too overrated today like GTA (because of its controversies and real-life cases especially on its content) and WarCraft.

#30 Mman says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:21 pm

The Tomb Raider entry was all I needed to see; “action game”, “”Laura” Croft” and misogyny by the bucketload. Yeah, nothing to see here.

#31 Silverlight says:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:25 am

Hey idiot! sonic three is not overrated it’s actually UNDERrated!

#32 Silverlight says:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:30 am

you people of old-wizard.com are idiots! sonic 3 pokemon red and blue are good games! plus the sega genesis is NOT the worst game system ever! If you had a brain you would actually get out of your house!

#33 wtf? says:
March 16th, 2010 at 6:47 am

pokemon isn’t an epic fantasy? depth? What kid wouldn’t want to go out on his own adventure through different cities collecting living things that can shoot fire and shock stuff? Yea, Pokemon got a little out of control, but that only meant it was a success. I see the point, but number 1? I can’t go to anybody’s house anymore without having to sit and watch HALO for 3 hours straight. I can definitely see pokemon on this list, but not in the top 5, let alone 1

#34 James McCloud says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:28 pm

gtasa??? MARIO64!?!?!?
I SHALL KILL YOU!

#35 kamal says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:18 pm

Every one is entitled to there own opinion. My personal opinion is you were wrong with sonic 3 that was a great game especially when you added sonic and knuckles to it. WOW is all i can say. Sonic 1 was excellent the graphics were great for it’s time look at the water I am saying this because of your stab at it in the sonic3 comment. Sonic2 was not the best and sonic 3d blast was the wost sonic game ever. Shining Force was a great game and was not hard from the start u just suck at strategy. the planed battles were good because ppl couldn’t just train till lvl 100 and go beat the boss. Pokemon was great i remember epic poke battles every were and that’s the sole reason ppl bought the link cable. GTA San Andreas was in the hood i guess u wouldn’t understand….was that game to hard for you 2

#36 kamal says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:22 pm

OHHH yeah how could you forget earthbound I HATE THAT GAME. I CAN NOT BELIEVE PPL SAY THAT IS 1 OF THE BEST GAMES. U CAN’T EVEN SEE THE FIGHTS GRRRRR I HATE THAT GAME I KNOW SOME ONE OUT THERE AGREES WITH ME.

#37 Eddy spaggheti westwrn says:
March 16th, 2010 at 8:25 am

i’m not even going to bother pointing out who bad this list is. you guys seriosly need to get informed about video games

#38 Daryl says:
March 16th, 2010 at 5:48 am

I ate cottage cheese for dinner

#39 KierzoSBC says:
March 16th, 2010 at 2:46 pm

Overrated? Sonic 3? Resi 4? Earthworm Jim? I think you psot these so people get their backs up and complain and thus spending more time on this site.

Halo anyone? What about Final Fantasy and every star wars games ever made? Now they are overrated games.

#40 KierzoSBC says:
March 16th, 2010 at 2:47 pm

Holy fuck and San Andreas? How did I miss that?

You definately do this for the shock value alone, that’s the only reasonable explanation i can think of.

#41 Ray Pozzo says:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:16 pm

People just don’t get satire nor understand that it’s your opinion and your opinion alone if it wasn’t. I liked almost everyone on that list but it was a good read.

#42 Nant14 says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:18 am

GTA3 is overrated and they started the series of “3d GTA” games with billions of dollars before even think of GTA:San Andreas.I think GTA 4 should be included here.

#43 Fraught says:
March 16th, 2010 at 7:35 pm

GTA: San Andreas was too big? The radio sucked?

Oh yeah. Fable was like, totally a shitty game.
You guys are so seriously gobbling puke, it’s almost funny to watch.
You guys don’t review nor play games, you just praise the games you like.

#44 Darkest Lord says:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:47 am

Wheres Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker on that list?

#45 Zeromage says:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:52 am

Wind Walker would have been a great addition to this list. Good call.

#46 renee lee says:
March 16th, 2010 at 9:43 am

oh guys!
when i saw the pic in your opening speil (the sonic pic)
it warmed my heart but then i read on!
i lived for sonic the hedgehog 2 when i was a kid sonic 3 wasnt that bad!
and pokemon kept me entertained for some time!!
tomb raider is decent too..
i think mario is over rated,lol

#47 avi says:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:43 pm

MARIO 64, RE4, SONIC 3, GTA:SAN ANDREAS, POKEMON RED/BLUE RULE!

#48 avi says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:42 pm

changed my mind about Red/Blue and GTA:SA.

#49 MR :D says:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:52 pm

Idiot list for idiot people.

#50 avi says:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:15 pm

actually, looking at the list again, the only 1s I disagree with r earthworm jim and tomb raider p.s. tr3 should b here not tr1.

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Top 10 Most Overrated Games

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