8 Amazing Characters That Deserved Better Games

8 Amazing Characters That Deserved Better Games

Key Takeaways

  • Bubsy 3D is infamous for its poor graphics & controls.
  • Evil Twin: Cyprien’s Chronicles suffers mainly due to terrible controls and level design.
  • Devil May Cry 2 fails to live up to its predecessor, with Lucia feeling underdeveloped.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that some characters have left a rather unfortunate mark on the gaming world. And it seems these unfortunate souls share an unenviable bond as they’ve all struggled to find their footing amidst the sea of iconic video game heroes.


Living as the main character in a video game can be challenging, because if the game itself is not well-liked, you may end up being forgotten in the annals of gaming, regardless of how cool or powerful your character might be.

With this in mind, here’s a list of fantastic characters done dirty by the title they call home.

8 Bubsy

Bubsy 3D

8 Amazing Characters That Deserved Better Games
Key InformationDetails
DeveloperBend Studio
PlatformPlayStation
Release DateOctober 1996

Amongst gamers, there are many who would point to Bubsy 3D as the most disappointing PlayStation game ever made. While I can list several other games with more significant flaws, Bubsy 3D is one title that doesn’t really add anything positive to the gaming world.

Bubsy 3D can be described as a gruesome 3D platformer that boasts poor graphics, dull stage designs, an unpleasant color scheme, and whimsical controls. Each level is laborious, and if this were someone’s inaugural video game experience, it might well deter them from ever playing another one again.

Despite initial reservations, the concept of portraying a witty feline character like Bubsy doesn’t seem inherently flawed. With improved scripting and a robust platform for gaming, he could shine brighter.

Thankfully, Bubsy didn’t exhaust all nine of his lives in the game “Bubsy 3D”, and his most recent appearance was as recent as 2019.

7 Cyprien

Evil Twin: Cyprien’s Chronicles

8 Amazing Characters That Deserved Better Games
Key InformationDetails
DeveloperUbisoft
PlatformPlayStation 2 and Dreamcast
Release DateOctober 2001

The “Evil Twin” is a disappointing adventure game for the PlayStation 2, marred by subpar controls and lackluster level layouts.

In this story, you take on the role of Cyprien, a young man who has two identities – one being an ordinary orphan, and the other known as “Super Cyp.” Along with his companions, Cyprien is unwittingly pulled into a mysterious fantasy realm. As they become separated, it falls upon Cyprien to rescue them all from this ominous world.

In this peculiar new world, even though Super Cyp is fictional, he possesses a variety of extraordinary abilities, making him seem incredibly real.

This one is tough to take because I’m so fond of the concept and magical atmosphere in “Evil Twin.” I truly made an effort to savor this title more than many others, yet even though it occasionally strikes a chord, there lies a reason we haven’t seen an “Evil Twin 2.

6 Lucia

Devil May Cry 2

8 Amazing Characters That Deserved Better Games

In the gaming world, Devil May Cry left players awe-struck through its thrilling action sequences, formidable adversaries, and an icy-cool lead character named Dante.

High hopes were placed on Devil May Cry 2, but unfortunately, it doesn’t live up to the brilliance of the first game in any aspect. The fighting experience seemed less dynamic and more tiresome rather than engaging. The dialogue was lackluster, and the bosses failed to leave a lasting impression.

Most disappointingly, the fresh character Lucia was incorporated into the series but failed to garner fans due to the poor quality of the game.

Lucia exhibits a grace that surpasses Dante’s, and her combat method offers an enjoyable twist. Regrettably, her campaign falls short in length, making her feel like a secondary character in a DMC game that many devoted fans might consider less appealing.

5 Crunch Bandicoot

Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

8 Amazing Characters That Deserved Better Games

I’m a big fan of Crash Bandicoot, but I was even disappointed with his first outing on the PlayStation 2. The visuals are lovely, but the laser-precise platforming of the original trilogy is replaced with gross, floaty physics where you doubt every jump.

One saving grace for the game is the introduction of a new antagonist in Crunch Bandicoot. He’s a powerhouse and immediately feels more threatening than Dr Cortex and even Uka Uka.

In every showdown with the boss, Crunch stands out for having a wealth of dialogue, unlike our silent hero who keeps his secrets close.

Fortunately, Crunch survived his maiden voyage and still shows up in future titles.

4 Silver the Hedgehog

Sonic The Hedgehog (2006)

8 Amazing Characters That Deserved Better Games

It’s widely believed that among all the “Sonic the Hedgehog” games, “Sonic 06” is the one with the most issues. From beginning to end, it’s often seen as a severely flawed and disappointing game.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, this game isn’t functioning quite as expected, but there are a few aspects that keep me hooked. The graphics, for one, are fairly good, and I must admit, some of the characters are quite cool.

Silver the Hedgehog serves as an innovative enhancement to the universe, ranking among the top-tier characters in the series. Unfortunately, it’s likely you’ll find yourself growing to dislike him during your initial confrontation.

As a gamer, I’ll always remember the time I met Silver for the first time. I found myself cornered by a deck chair, and he was relentless in his attacks. Every blow from him made me drop precious rings at my feet, saving me from certain death. Had to restart that game quite a few times!

The conflict aligns perfectly with the brand identity of Sonic 2006, unfortunately delivering Silver in an underwhelming fashion as a formidable character.

3 Sion Barzahd

The Bouncer

8 Amazing Characters That Deserved Better Games

This new release, titled “The Bouncer,” represents a shift in direction for SquareSoft, deviating significantly from the typical game styles they are renowned for.

Sion certainly looks like a Final Fantasy protagonist, and he’s propped up by his friends, Kou and Volt. The Bouncer is an admirable attempt at a cinematic 3D brawler, complete with stylish cutscenes and a fully voice-acted cast.

Sadly, the gameplay leaves plenty to be desired, and the game is woefully short.

This may be a hot take, but I love The Bouncer despite its flaws. Combat is fun, if limited, and each cast member has a unique fighting style.

In a more relaxed phrasing, it could be said that: The bosses are excessively flamboyant, and the primary adversary is so stylishly awesome that he fights as if he only has one hand bound! (I’m pointing at you, Mugetsu)

Regardless, The Bouncer was a commercial flop and an unceremonious end for Sion and Co.

2 Axl

Mega Man X7

8 Amazing Characters That Deserved Better Games

As a dedicated fan, I must confess that the Mega Man series, a timeless gem in Capcom’s collection, remains as captivating as ever. However, even legends occasionally stumble.

“Mega Man X7 stands out as a prime example of Capcom’s shift towards 3D gameplay, departing from the conventional 2D viewpoint. While some 2D segments work well, these transitions only emphasize the dissonance. Regrettably, this leads to an average 3D adventure game and a disappointing installment in the Mega Man series.

Despite the poor quality of the gameplay, it’s hard not to notice Axl, a fresh addition to the team with an engaging personality. Axl is a confident, fashionable character who stands tall among X and Zero. He’s agile, determined, and surprisingly well-developed through extended dialogue sequences.

Unfortunately, Axl has largely disappeared from the Mega Man X series after Mega Man X8, with only occasional appearances here and there. There are many other excellent games within the franchise that don’t feature him.

1 Superman

Superman 64

8 Amazing Characters That Deserved Better Games

It’s probably no surprise to many of you, but the character known as the Man of Steel has claimed the top spot on our list due to his exciting escapade on the Nintendo 64 console.

As a devoted fan, I’d say for those newcomers out there, “Superman 64” is more than just a legendary video game; it’s an icon. You might think that a Superman game would involve battling villains or saving the city, but if you’re fortunate enough to play this one, you’ll find out it’s much more than that!

In the opening stage of “Superman 64”, you’ll encounter rings while flying, but the control system is so poorly designed, it’s hard to believe. Strangely enough, this part of the game has a time limit, and due to the joke controls, it’s unlikely you’ll finish it during your initial playthrough.

Your immediate task involves locating a vehicle carrying an explosive device and safely disarming it. This is similar to how the creators seemed unsure about what to do with Superman, resulting in his appearance leaving a lasting, negative impression on the Nintendo 64 game collection.

Lucky for him, Superman is so well-liked that he can easily brush aside this issue. Not all on this list have that luxury.

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2024-11-13 20:09