7 Failed Video Game Mascots Who Almost Made It Big But Crashed And Burned Instead

Summary

Alex Kidd by Sega failed to become an iconic mascot like Super Mario due to lack of impact.
Captain Commando from Capcom achieved cult status despite being attached to a solid game.
Bubsy faced a decline in popularity due to a string of poor games and best left in the past.

Mascots abound in various aspects of Pop Culture – from Disney’s Mickey Mouse to Studio Ghibli’s Totoro, Star Wars’ R2-D2, and many more. In the realm of video gaming, icons like Sonic, Super Mario, and Master Chief take center stage, followed by potential contenders such as Rayman or Nathan Drake. Delve deeper into the archives, and you’ll find less celebrated characters too.

Over the course of video game history, numerous attempts at establishing video game characters as mascots have faltered. Some were conceived to symbolize a development team, while others represented a specific game that could have blossomed into a successful franchise. There are several explanations for why they didn’t quite make it big; poor timing and a subpar gaming experience are just a couple of examples.

7. Alex Kidd

You’ve Got To Be Kidd-ing Me

In another universe, I’m a legendary figure, with my face gracing pillows, mugs, and lunchboxes. Maybe I even have a high-tech CGI movie dedicated to me. But here in this reality, people mostly know me as Sega’s attempt at creating their own Super Mario character, stumbling at key obstacles before eventually giving way to that iconic blue hedgehog. Still, the folks at Sega hold me dear, though not many others outside of their circle do.

The initial game featuring Alex Kidd on the Master System, titled “Alex Kidd In Miracle World,” was a pleasant, moderately engaging platformer, yet it failed to possess the groundbreaking elements characteristic of “Super Mario Bros” (released a year prior) and its subsequent games. Alex Kidd’s character was often utilized as a cover for Japan-exclusive games that later saw Western release, and he even appeared in the cult favorite “Alex Kidd In Shinobi World.” However, he never truly had the chance to reach his full potential.

6. Captain Commando

More Like Captain Commandon’t

Given its stature as a giant in the video game world, it’s no surprise that Capcom, based in Osaka, would aspire to have its own mascot. The role fell to Captain Commando, even down to his name subtly representing his parent company through the initials of his first and second names. He was first introduced in the 1991 arcade beat ’em up game that shared the same name.

As a gamer, I’ve got to admit that while Captain Commando didn’t quite reach the level of superstardom that Capcom intended, he was part of an awesome game and managed to carve out a niche for himself as a cult hero. Don’t let that get you down though! This guy showed up in more than one Marvel Vs. Capcom title, not to mention SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash.

5. Bubsy

Paws For Thought

The introduction of Sonic The Hedgehog into video games marked a significant transformation within the industry, as W.B. Yeats once said, “A terrible beauty is born.” In response, numerous imitation games emerged, all incorporating variations on the trendy 90’s anthropomorphic animal theme. One such character was Bubsy The Bobcat, who made his debut in 1993 with the game “Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind” for 16-bit gaming systems.

Back in the day, I was all about that wisecracking cat named Bubsy – a lovable rogue with a knack for landing himself in sticky situations. His debut game was quite the hit, offering fast-paced action and vibrant visuals. It seemed like he was destined for greatness, but alas, things took a turn for the worse as a series of subpar games followed, including one that was downright atrocious for the first PlayStation. Some have tried to resurrect him, but those attempts were lackluster at best, and I think it’s time we let Bubsy rest in peace and move on.

4. Knack

Meme Fodder

Sony Computer Entertainment heavily supported the release of a game called Knack, aiming to establish a successful series similar to Crash Bandicoot and demonstrate the power of PlayStation 4. With top industry professionals and substantial resources at their disposal, it seemed impossible for it not to succeed. However, despite being functional, the game’s final product didn’t deliver the unmissable experience that its developers likely hoped for.

The game Knack focused heavily on action and combat, yet its overall structure and level of difficulty were often criticized by gamers. Additionally, it lacked a distinct personality and its main character was devoid of any appeal. Despite this, it managed to spawn a sequel that made some changes and enhancements. However, Knack is mainly remembered as a humorous reference among internet meme enthusiasts rather than for its lasting impact.

3. Gex

The Retro Reptile

Gex the Gecko was another character that emerged during the wave of success following Sonic, similar to Bubsy. He stood out due to his affection for TV and his knack for witty remarks. His debut game appeared on the 3DO console, but managed to survive beyond its unfortunate fate, eventually appearing on PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and even PC platforms. The games were appreciated by gamers for their dry humor and inventive level design.

Notably, Gex games were generally well-appreciated and considered strong action platformers. The later installments drew significant influence from Super Mario 64 due to their focus on open-world gameplay. Although Gex maintains a dedicated fanbase and the Gex Trilogy is available on Steam, there’s currently not enough mainstream interest in him for a revival. As such, the anticipated return of this beloved character remains a future possibility.

2. Jazz Jackrabbit

This Bunny’s Gone To Heaven

In contrast to the popularity of mascot platforming games on consoles, the PC gaming world lacked such titles and players often had limited choices. Some of these games even originated from unexpected sources; for instance, Epic Games, now renowned for Gears Of War and Fortnite, initially made a name for itself as a developer under the name Epic MegaGames by releasing an action platformer for MS-DOS.

In this rendition, the star of the spectacle was Jazz, a green jackrabbit donning sunglasses and equipped with a collection of advanced weaponry. Blending elements of Star Wars and Aesop’s Fables, it offered a distinctive fusion of platforming and shooting mechanics, similar to the merging of Sonic The Hedgehog and Mega Man. Its successor was appreciated, yet as the PlayStation gained prominence, home computers were struggling to keep pace. Unfortunately, a third installment was terminated during production, leaving Jazz in relative obscurity.

1. Croc

A Beloved Character That Struggled Against the Competition

Unfortunately, an unexpected turn of events affected the initial “Croc” video game. The creators at Argonaut Software initially designed it as a groundbreaking 3D platformer starring Yoshi from Nintendo. An early version was even created to demonstrate its potential to Nintendo executives, who were thrilled by it. Regrettably, despite their initial excitement, the project was eventually turned down because Nintendo was already developing a similar concept in-house, which later evolved into “Super Mario 64.

Back in the day, I was hooked on this game where a cartoon crocodile took over from the original dinosaur star. The first installment, “Croc: Legend Of The Gobbos,” hit multiple platforms in 1997. It was a hit and for a moment, it seemed like it could be timeless, even spawning a sequel and spin-offs for Game Boy and Game Boy Color. But alas, no new games were released after that. Luckily, nostalgia gamers can still get their fix with the remastered version, which not only enhances the graphics but most importantly, makes the controls smoother.

2025-04-08 16:35