Bad PlayStation 3 Games That Are Better Than You Remember

The PS3 didn’t have as smooth a launch as the PS1 and PS2 did back in 2006. It took a while, but it eventually gained a strong library of games from both Sony and other developers, including popular titles like Grand Theft Auto 4, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, and Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

The PS3 had its share of great games, but also a lot of games that weren’t well-received. Often, these overlooked titles didn’t get a fair chance. Sometimes they were criticized for being different from other games in the series, or suffered from initial technical problems. Regardless, many of these games actually have merit and deserve more recognition.

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified

A Decent Cover Shooter

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is a unique take on the XCOM universe, set in the 1960s during what appears to be the initial alien invasion of Earth. Unlike traditional XCOM games, it’s an action-focused cover shooter where you control a team of government agents battling the alien threat.

Okay, so it’s not quite as strategically deep as the regular XCOM games, and honestly, my squadmates weren’t always the brightest, but the gunplay itself was solid enough. What really grabbed me though was the setting – a 1960s alien invasion? That’s a fantastic idea, and I haven’t seen many games tackle that era with aliens before!

Front Mission Evolved

Giving Up Tactics For Action

Fans of the Front Mission tactical RPG series were surprised by Front Mission Evolved. After waiting for a true sequel to Front Mission 4 since 2004, they received a third-person mech shooter in 2010, a departure from the series’ roots. While Japan had received several new Front Mission games in the meantime, Evolved was the first major release in North America.

The game’s disappointing performance was likely due to its weak story, but also because of how it was marketed. While it excelled as a mech action game, boasting impressive weapons and customization options comparable to classic Armored Core titles, being labeled a Front Mission game ultimately held it back.

Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3

A Gundam Fan’s Dream

Musou games weren’t very popular with critics in the 2000s and early 2010s, and often received harsh reviews. For instance, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 was heavily criticized, but looking back now, those reviews are amusing considering how tastes and the gaming industry have changed.

The combat can get repetitive, often involving fighting large numbers of enemies, but some players actually find that fun. While newcomers might not know much about Gundam, fans will appreciate seeing characters and storylines from different series come together. Technically sound, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 is a game both Musou and Gundam enthusiasts will likely enjoy.

Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z

Undead Ninjutsu

Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z was the final Ninja Gaiden game for many years, until three new games were released in 2025. Because of this long gap, it received a lot of criticism when it first came out. Unlike previous titles, it didn’t feature Ryu as the main character, the gameplay felt more repetitive than difficult, and the game adopted a more lighthearted, zombie-focused style.

Okay, so this game was…weird. It definitely didn’t have the fast-paced, intense action I expect from a Ninja Gaiden title. But honestly, it looked pretty good – the art style with the cel-shading was cool. And the idea of ninjas battling zombies? That’s a concept I had to check out. It just feels like they shouldn’t have slapped the Ninja Gaiden name on it, kinda like what happened with Front Mission Evolved. It’s a fun game, but not a Ninja Gaiden game.

White Knight Chronicles 2

Two Games In One

If you didn’t play the first White Knight Chronicles on PlayStation 3, the second game was a great way to experience both! It came bundled with the original because the first game didn’t sell very well. It’s too bad Level-5 had a tough time during the PS3 era, considering how fantastic their games were on the PlayStation 2.

While these games were solid, they didn’t quite stand out visually or in terms of storytelling compared to other RPGs available. The combat was a strong point, borrowing elements from MMOs and even letting players control a large, mech-like knight. It’s rare to find fantasy games with this kind of gameplay.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

A Power Fantasy For Umbrella

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is known as one of the worst games in the popular Resident Evil series. Set between Resident Evil 2 and 3, it presents a different version of events, following a team of Umbrella Corporation agents sent to Raccoon City to eliminate the zombie outbreak and collect samples.

The game had a promising concept and the shooting itself was okay for what it aimed to be. However, it received negative reviews because the enemy animations were bad and their artificial intelligence wasn’t well-developed. Overall, it’s a bit chaotic, but dedicated Resident Evil fans might still enjoy shooting zombies in a recognizable environment.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time Re-Shelled

Radically Efficient

Okay, so playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled was a big deal for me because it was the first time I could actually buy and play Turtles in Time by itself since it came out on the SNES way back in ’92. The fighting still felt really good with all four turtles, and the sound effects were awesome. But honestly, there were a couple of things that held it back from being a perfect experience for me.

The game’s music had to be altered in places due to licensing problems, which was disappointing because the original soundtrack was fantastic. Also, the new, blocky graphics weren’t as vibrant as the original pixel art. A digital re-release would have likely been a better option, but unfortunately, the game isn’t available for purchase anymore, so that’s a decision that’s been made.

Dark Void

Sideways Uncharted

Dark Void had a really promising concept, but unfortunately didn’t quite live up to its potential. Imagine a mix of The Rocketeer and Uncharted – you play as a character with a jetpack and a special helmet, flying around and battling enemies. The game also featured visually impressive, fast-paced shooting sequences that emphasized verticality and cover.

Nolan North, famous for voicing Nathan Drake in the Uncharted games, also played the main character, William, in Dark Void. The game aimed to be a thrilling action-adventure shooter, but unfortunately, issues with the game’s speed, controls, and story prevented it from becoming a major hit. Still, is it so bad for a game to have flaws?

NeverDead

Keep Rolling

NeverDead is a game that truly needs to be experienced firsthand. You play as Bryce, an immortal zombie demon hunter who’s… unusually fragile. He can be torn apart in combat – lose an arm, a leg, even his head – and it doesn’t actually kill him!

It can be frustrating during intense action when players need to reconnect their dismembered body parts. However, some sections cleverly utilize the game’s unique ‘head rolling’ feature. While the humor is often exaggerated and doesn’t always hit the mark, NeverDead is a truly unique experience, and that’s something to appreciate.

2025-12-20 14:37