Even Rockstar’s Worst Games Are Still Pretty Great

Honestly, as a gamer, I don’t think any developer gets more respect right now than Rockstar Games. And that’s huge, considering how many studios have become big names in just the last ten years. But none of them have had the same impact. Rockstar basically made the open-world games I love, and they’ve been improving on that formula for over twenty-five years – they really perfected it.

Rockstar hasn’t always hit it out of the park, with a few games receiving negative reviews and some unexpected departures from their signature open-world style, especially during the 2000s. But even these less successful titles are still enjoyable, even if they’re quite different from what players expect from Rockstar. While they might not live up to the developer’s current high standards, they were still a lot of fun when they were first released.

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Beaterator

Don’t Call It A Mix Deck

Beaterator is a unique app for PSP and iOS, created through a surprising partnership between Rockstar Leeds and the musician Timbaland. It initially appears to be a simple DJ mixing program – and that’s where the idea came from. Rockstar originally released a basic Flash-based music mixing tool in 2005, and Beaterator builds on that foundation, offering a lot more depth and features.

Beaterator offers three different modes to help you create music. Song Crafter is best for detailed editing and finishing larger projects. Studio Session lets you practice mixing, create remixes, or record tracks to share online. Live Play is exactly what it sounds like – a mode for performing. While it’s not a traditional video game, Beaterator uses game-like controls to make music creation easier and more enjoyable. It might not have all the features of professional software, but it’s designed to be fun and playful – just like a game!

Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis

So Much Better Than A Table Tennis Game Has Any Right To Be

When Rockstar Games announced Table Tennis, people were surprised, confused, and intrigued. It was unusual for such a major game developer to focus on a detailed table tennis game, especially after the success of San Andreas. Though it’s not a Grand Theft Auto title, the game is surprisingly complex, packed with features, and boasted impressive graphics for its time.

At first glance, Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis seems straightforward. You aim and control the power of your serve, and then choose how to return your opponent’s shots – adding spin, smashing, or using any technique to make them miss. However, the game has surprising depth. Every shot offers a lot of customization in terms of power, direction, and spin. While playing against the computer is enjoyable, the game truly comes alive when you compete against another player, either locally or online.

The Warriors

Come Out To Play

Rockstar surprised many gamers with The Warriors, a game connected to the popular 1979 film. Similar to Table Tennis, it was released after the massive success of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, leading some to question the direction Rockstar was taking. However, trusting their vision paid off, as The Warriors became a standout beat-em-up title of the 2000s.

In the game The Warriors, you control one character at a time from a roster of nine, with the others handled by the computer. The main goal of most missions is to invade a rival gang’s territory, defeat its members, and then mark the area with The Warriors’ tag – either to claim it or to disrespect the previous owners. The game also features flashback missions that show how each character became a Warrior, adding depth to the story and providing extra character development to an already compelling narrative.

Red Dead Revolver

The First Steps Towards Greatness

Released shortly before San Andreas, Red Dead Revolver was the very first game in the now-famous Red Dead series. It can be a bit jarring to play today if you’re used to the open-world Red Dead games, but it’s surprisingly good for a first try. The game even explains the series’ name: the main character, Red, is a bounty hunter, and a group of outlaws are trying to kill him. Case closed!

Unlike later games in the series, Red Dead Revolver is a straightforward, action-packed shooter. Each mission centers around hunting down a target, culminating in a boss battle. Defeating the boss rewards you with money to buy new weapons and items before starting the next mission. While the game isn’t fully open-world, you can freely roam the town of Brimstone, interact with characters, and visit shops. The game features several playable characters, though you won’t have access to them for every mission. It also introduced the iconic “Dead Eye” ability, which was simpler in this first version compared to how it appeared in later Red Dead games.

Manhunt 2

Controversy Meets Criticism

While not as highly regarded as the original, Manhunt 2 is the sequel to the famously controversial stealth action game, Manhunt. The gameplay focuses on stealth, with most encounters involving quick, single attacks instead of large-scale combat. This game expands on the options available to the player, offering a wider range of weapons – including guns – and environmental hazards like manhole covers and even toilets, that can be used to your advantage.

The Manhunt games are set within a disturbing reality TV show, and players actually earn points for performing especially violent takedowns – this is the main source of the games’ controversy. You can choose from three levels of stealth kills: quick and quiet, or slower, more brutal options. The most violent option, called “Gruesome,” is incredibly graphic but also risks exposing your position. While the sequel isn’t quite as shocking as the original, and the story isn’t as strong, Manhunt 2 remains a really enjoyable stealth game for anyone who wants over-the-top, brutal combat.

Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition

The Low Point Of An Underappreciated Racing Franchise

The early 2000s were packed with racing games, and while titles like Gran Turismo, Need for Speed, and Burnout dominated, the Midnight Club series often flew under the radar. Unlike the realistic driving experience of Gran Turismo, Midnight Club focused on fast-paced, arcade-style racing. However, it still offered a great selection of officially licensed cars and an impressive soundtrack with almost 100 licensed songs spanning many different music genres.

Okay, so a lot of people think Midnight Club 3 was the last game, but actually Midnight Club Los Angeles came out after it and was pretty well-liked. Midnight Club 3 is kind of a weird one, though – it’s definitely the most divisive game in the series, mostly because of the version they made for the PSP. But even though it’s seen as a bit of a low point, it’s still a seriously fun arcade racer. You get to cruise around three different cities – Atlanta, Detroit, and San Diego – and race in a bunch of different styles. There are almost 70 cars you can drive, customize, and really tune to make your own. The REMIX version takes it even further, bumping the car count up to 94 and adding a ton more licensed music – like, 124 songs! It’s a great package.

2026-02-21 20:06