The video game industry exploded in the 80s and 90s, quickly after the NES was released in North America in 1985. This led to a rush of game development, and many titles were created that are now largely forgotten. Looking back, it’s surprising to think anyone believed these concepts would succeed, even with today’s digital game stores.
While a few of these games might have appeared on platforms like Steam in the past – which has always been more open – it’s best to focus on the present. Games with explicit content or even strong educational themes like these are rare in 2025, and wouldn’t be released today.
BMX XXX
Teens Love Nudity
- Developer: Z-Axis
- Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment
- Release Date: November 15, 2002 (Xbox Version)
- Platforms: GameCube, PS2, Xbox
Following the success of Grand Theft Auto 3, many developers attempted to replicate its formula, often adding more adult content. A prime example is BMX XXX, which began as a legitimate Dave Mira biking game. When the game took a decidedly more explicit turn, Mira withdrew his support, but it was still released as an open-world game centered around bike riding.
The biking mechanics were decent for an extreme sports game, but it included unlockable nudity. Fortunately, game development has become more responsible since then, and a major game featuring nudity likely wouldn’t be released today except possibly on platforms like Steam.
Conker’s Bad Fur Day
No More Edgelords
As a huge fan of Rare’s work, I always loved how they weren’t afraid to be different. With Conker’s Bad Fur Day, they really shook things up on the N64. Nintendo was famous for family-friendly characters like Mario, but Rare wanted to create something a little… edgier and more mature, and they definitely delivered! It wasn’t about being inappropriate for the sake of it, but about pushing the limits of what you could do in a game.
Okay, so the old Conker games were… pretty wild. I mean, seriously, tons of swearing, a character literally made of poop, and just non-stop action. Knowing Microsoft owns the rights now through Rare, I don’t think we’ll see another game like that anytime soon. And honestly? Things have changed. The gaming world is different now, and that kind of super-crude humor just wouldn’t fly like it used to. It was shocking then, but I think it would just cause an uproar today.
Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure
And All Toys To Life Games
The Skylanders series started the popular “toys-to-life” genre in 2011 with Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure. It was a new concept where players could expand the game by purchasing collectible figures that unlocked different characters to play.
The game inspired numerous similar titles, such as Disney Infinity, Lego Dimensions, and Starlink: Battle for Atlas. However, with most stores reducing the space dedicated to physical games, it would be difficult and costly to stock and develop such games now. Consequently, no company is likely to make that investment again.
Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hands
Maybe As A Phone App
Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand was the original game in the Boktai series, created for the Game Boy Advance. What made it unique was a built-in solar panel! Players were meant to play outside, using real sunlight to power up their weapon and defeat enemies. Even the toughest villains – the vampire bosses – could only be truly destroyed by exposing them to direct sunlight within the game.
This was a truly original concept – the sort of thing only Hideo Kojima would imagine. And, like the ‘toys-to-life’ games mentioned earlier, no current game publisher would approve a project that needed a physical copy to be played.
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
Can’t Mess With The King
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was Sony’s take on the popular platform fighter genre, similar to Super Smash Bros. However, it didn’t quite succeed as hoped. The game featured a solid lineup of characters, including Kratos, Nathan Drake, and Raiden, but it lacked the extensive library of recognizable franchises that Nintendo had to work with.
Fans were also disappointed to see popular PlayStation characters like Cloud Strife and Crash Bandicoot left out. Attempts to compete with the incredibly successful Super Smash Bros. usually don’t succeed, and Sony likely wouldn’t risk another similar venture on a console like the PS5.
I Am A Teacher: Super Mario Sweater
Leave Mario Alone
- Developer: Royal Kougyou
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: August 27, 1986 (Japan)
- Platform: Famicom (Japanese NES)
The original Super Mario Bros. game was a major factor in the success of the NES when it first came out in North America. Mario quickly became a popular character, defining the 80s and 90s, and Nintendo capitalized on this by creating many related games and selling Mario merchandise to maintain their success.
A particularly unusual example of this was I Am a Teacher: Super Mario Sweater, a Japanese Famicom game. It wasn’t a traditional game, but software that allowed users to create patterns for clothing. Even with Nintendo’s often-eccentric approach to Mario today, it’s unlikely they’d release a game for the Switch or Switch 2 that lets you design Mario-themed sweaters.
Sneak King (Burger King Games)
AdverGames Exist Online Now
“AdverGames” is what people called video games created to advertise products, and they’ve been around since the early days of gaming, like with the Atari 2600. While they existed for a long time, one of the last major examples on consoles was the series of games released by Burger King in 2006, which were sold at their restaurants alongside Xbox consoles.
Big Bumpin’ was a classic bumper car game, and PocketBike Racer was a fun, cartoon-style racing game. The most unusual game was Sneak King, where players controlled the Burger King mascot and had to secretly give burgers to other characters – it was quite unsettling! Today, these types of games, known as AdverGames, are found online or as mobile apps, and it’s unlikely any console would release a physical copy of one now.
Captain Novolin
Educating Children Through Subpar Gameplay
Captain Novolin was a game for the SNES that attempted to teach players while seeming like a regular, enjoyable platformer. Many similar ‘edutainment’ games were popular in the 80s and 90s, and now often exist as apps or online browser games.
I remember Captain Novolin – it was trying to teach kids about diabetes, which was cool, but honestly, the game itself wasn’t very polished. Thinking about it now, in 2025, it feels weird that anyone would bother releasing a game like that on a console, even as a download. It just doesn’t seem like a smart move for developers these days.
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2025-10-27 07:35