It’s disappointing whenever a digital game is removed from sale. Preserving these games is important to many people, as losing access to them means their cultural impact and the experiences they offer can be forgotten – and this applies to all kinds of interactive entertainment, not just traditional video games.
Games sometimes start as demos, like P.T., which was a preview for Silent Hills. When the full game was canceled, the demo disappeared too. Other free games, such as Knockout City and Marvel Heroes, are no longer playable because their online servers are down, though dedicated fans sometimes keep them running. There are also games you used to be able to buy that have been removed from digital stores, making them essentially free but unavailable for purchase. We’ll be discussing these lost games today.
When these games first came out, players had to pay to play them, and they were primarily available as digital downloads.
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Age Of Booty
Top-Down Pirates
Released in 2008 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (and later on PC in 2009), Age of Booty was one of the first games available for download on those consoles. It was a pirate adventure played from a top-down perspective, letting players captain a ship, explore the seas, raid towns, talk to characters, and battle other vessels.
The game offered simple, yet enjoyable arcade-style action, reminiscent of classic titles like Sid Meier’s Pirates. Sadly, as of 2024, Age of Booty is no longer for sale, with the Xbox 360 version being the final one removed from stores.
Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth
And The Other Konami ReBirth Games
Konami came up with a clever plan for the Wii Channel: releasing three updated versions of popular games that were originally part of Nintendo’s legacy. The standout title, Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth, launched digitally in 2009. It was a fresh take on Castlevania: The Adventure from 1989, a beloved action-platformer in the Castlevania series.
Alongside these titles, Gradius ReBirth and Contra ReBirth were also released. Unfortunately, all three games are now unavailable for download because the Wii’s online store closed in 2019, resulting in the loss of many other unique digital games for the system.
Crimson Shroud
D&D Lite
Crimson Shroud was created by Level-5 and Nex Entertainment as part of a larger 3DS project called Guild, which launched online in 2012. It’s a brief, turn-based RPG where you explore dungeons, designed to feel like playing a tabletop game with its grid-based movement and character figures.
In 2012, a collection of games, including this one from the Guild, was released as a physical cartridge for the 3DS called Guild01. However, this version was only available in Japan. Now that the 3DS eShop has closed in 2023, players in North America can no longer purchase Crimson Shroud.
Dark Void Zero
The Better Of The Two Games
Released in 2010 for DSiWare, iOS, and PC, Dark Void Zero was a unique departure from the original Dark Void. While the main game was a 3D shooter, Zero intentionally mimicked the look and feel of classic NES games, incorporating elements of the Metroidvania style. Many Capcom enthusiasts actually prefer this digital spin-off.
This game feels like a modern take on the classic NES game, Rocketeer, as both feature characters who fly with jetpacks. Sadly, it’s no longer available for purchase on any platform – Steam removed it in 2024, and it’s not available anywhere else.
Earthworm Jim HD
Grooooovy!
Okay, so Earthworm Jim HD is basically a revamped version of the classic game I used to play back on the SNES and Genesis. It came out in 2010 for PS3, Xbox 360, and even Windows Phones, which was kinda weird. But the thing is, it’s not available to buy on any of those platforms anymore – they all pulled it from their stores by 2018. Bummer!
Earthworm Jim is a classic character from the 1990s, starring in multiple sequels and a cartoon series. The original game was a fast-paced, action-packed platformer, and a later HD version improved the graphics and controls. It’s disappointing to see this unique and quirky game become unavailable once more.
Matt Hazard: Blood Bath And Beyond
Gunning With Jokes
Released in 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond was a spin-off game that playfully spoofed third-person shooters. It starred Matt Hazard, a character similar to Duke Nukem, voiced by Will Arnett, who found himself in increasingly ridiculous situations while cracking jokes and shooting his way through levels.
The game Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond was a side-scrolling shooter inspired by classic games like Contra. While it’s no longer available online (it was removed around 2025), the first game in the series, Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard, is still available to buy in digital and physical formats if you’re interested in checking it out.
Noby Noby Boy
Gotta Get To Girl
Noby Noby Boy wasn’t really a game in the traditional sense—it was more like an engaging, interactive toy. First released for the PlayStation 3 in 2009, it was also available on iOS devices for a short time starting in 2010, though that version was removed from sale in 2012. The original PS3 version is no longer available either, having been removed around 2018.
Keita Takahashi, the creator of the unique game Katamari Damacy, also designed this game. Players control a worm-like character that can stretch and move around a small area filled with wandering characters.
Omega Strike
A ContraVania
I first got my hands on Omega Strike back in 2017 when it came out on PC. Later, in 2018, they added support for PS4, Switch, and Xbox One, which was awesome. Sadly, they took it off the stores in 2024. It’s a really cool game – think Contra meets a Metroidvania. You start with three different soldiers, and you can switch between them on the fly, each one bringing something unique to the table.
Once you defeat a boss, you’ll play as Sarge until he finds and rescues his two teammates. The game features a variety of enemies – mutants, bugs, and large robotic bosses – and you can collect gold to improve your abilities. You’ll also find items and unlock new areas, similar to games like Metroidvania, to progress through the levels.
Poker Night 2
Deal Me In
Released in 2013 for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, Poker Night 2 was a poker game that featured unique playable characters and famous opponents. What made the game special was who you played against – characters like Claptrap from Borderlands, Brock Samson from The Venture Bros., Ash Williams from The Evil Dead, and Sam from Sam & Max. GLaDOS from Portal even dealt the cards! Unfortunately, the game is no longer available to purchase on any platform, having been removed from sale by 2018.
The remastered version of Poker Night at the Inventory: Reopening is coming out in March. If it’s successful, there’s hope that a sequel could also get a remaster.
The Simpsons Arcade Game
Don’t Have A Cow Man
The Simpsons Arcade Game first came out in arcades in 1991, and was also available on MS-DOS and Commodore 64 computers. While digital versions were released for Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2012, it’s technically possible to play the game other ways – like owning a full-size arcade machine or a smaller replica – but these options can be quite expensive.
This version of the game was a more faithful recreation of the arcade experience for beat ‘em up fans of the 90s, especially compared to earlier releases on MS-DOS and the Commodore 64. Sadly, The Simpsons fans could only purchase it for a short time, as it was removed from sale in 2013 after just one year.
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2026-02-21 17:41