Lost Games You Cannot Play (Legally) Anymore

Summary

Fans regret games disappearing from old consoles with no digital options.
Titles like XDefiant and Dauntless were taken offline despite popularity.
Legal access to delisted games is possible through finding physical copies.

Many people fondly recall games from their childhood that they’d love to replay, such as those stuck on consoles like the PlayStation 1, Sega Saturn, Xbox, and so forth. These individuals don’t necessarily require updated versions or enhanced editions, as playing the original games on contemporary hardware would suffice for them. Although these games may not be easily accessible on mainstream platforms, you can often find and legally purchase them at second-hand shops to enjoy once more.

Just like the case with retired games such as “The Lord of the Rings: War in the North”, these days it’s no longer possible to digitally purchase them. However, luckily for collectors, physical versions were produced and they remain functional. On the flip side, there are certain games that demand specific system requirements which make them virtually unplayable unless a user has established a personal network or acquired the game in the past.

1 Vs 100

Ahead Of Its Time

Developer: Microsoft Game Studios
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Released: November 19, 2009
Platform: Xbox 360

The game show known as 1 vs. 100 involved a single contestant facing off against numerous peers in a trivia-based competition. Originally airing from 2006 to 2008, it was subsequently transformed into an Xbox 360 game on Xbox Live, launching in 2009, still adhering to the original concept.

Spectators could join the action, either as participants or viewers. For the year 2009, only two sessions were available, marking its conclusion after that point. Given that it was broadcast live, there weren’t any options for playing the game casually, so when it came to an end, it truly signified a permanent farewell.

Babylon’s Fall

Down Goes The Tower

The game titled “Babylon’s Fall” was a joint project by Square Enix and PlatinumGames, a duo known for their harmonious collaborations in the past. This action RPG primarily emphasized multiplayer gameplay, with a straightforward premise involving characters ascending a tower and returning to a town hub between playthroughs. However, it was met with less than favorable reception by the gaming community.

As a devoted fan, I remember vividly when the game was launched in March 2022, only to learn in September of the same year that Square Enix intended to discontinue the online service. True to their promise, the servers were shut down by the end of February 2023, effectively ending any possibility for me to continue playing this cherished game thereafter.

Concord

Blink And You Missed It

Is there any doubt that Concord has been launched? Indeed it was, and the launch event will go down as one of the most peculiar in the industry. The game titled Concord made its appearance on August 23, 2024, for both PS5 and PC platforms. However, the servers for this game were closed just two weeks later, on September 6, 2024.

Initially, Sony appeared optimistic about reintroducing the game following some internal adjustments. However, the development studio responsible for it, Firewalk Studios, unfortunately closed down, causing the project to be halted. The game was an online multiplayer title featuring hero shooter and heist elements, though it didn’t receive universal praise, it did have a dedicated fanbase. One significant drawback was its launch price of $70, which was higher than free-to-play competitors in the same genre.

Dauntless

A Great Monster Hunter Clone

For quite some time, Monster Hunter stood alone as the unique title in its genre, with infrequent imitators that failed to pose significant competition. However, following the triumph of Monster Hunter World, other contenders emerged on the scene, such as Dauntless, which debuted in September 2019.

The free-to-play game gained popularity and garnered positive feedback. It consistently maintained an active online community. However, as inevitable as death, the game’s servers and access were closed down in May 2025. Released on numerous platforms like PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, the game reached almost every system upon launch. Yet, even with such a broad reach, it couldn’t escape its fate.

Marvel Heroes

A Lost Marvel Classic

The game titled Marvel Heroes serves as another demonstration of a popular Marvel game that enjoyed success among its devoted fanbase. This action RPG shares similarities with the acclaimed game Diablo, offering a wide selection of beloved Marvel characters to control, such as Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, and even Blade.

My gaming adventure kicked off in 2013, exclusively on PC. In a fantastic turn of events, Marvel Heroes Omega made its debut in 2017, transforming the game into a cross-platform marvel, available on PS4 and Xbox One. This happened back in June, but just a few short months later, in November, things took an unexpected turn. The game, along with Gazillion Entertainment, the studio behind it all, abruptly closed down, leaving Marvel Heroes to vanish right alongside them.

Rumbleverse

Big Brawl In The City

In the abundant Battle Royale game landscape, Rumbleverse aimed to offer a unique twist. Rather than focusing on shooting, this game is set within an urban environment where players engage in physical combat using exaggerated wrestling moves.

Playing the free game was both fun and foolish, and it became available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in August 2022. However, it closed down permanently only a few months later in February 2023. While its duration wasn’t particularly long-lasting, it also didn’t end up being one of the worst games ever made.

Super Mario Bros. 35

Who Takes A Gift Back?

In 2020, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the release of Super Mario Bros. on the NES by Nintendo, and they commemorated this by hosting a limited-time Battle Royale event on the Switch. This special edition game was called Super Mario Bros. 35, where players could compete against others online by playing through classic levels from the Mario series when it released in October.

The game resembled one from the NES era, however, due to some contemporary enhancements, it performed smoother on the Switch. It gained significant popularity as a free title, but Nintendo never intended for it to last. Consequently, in April 2021, the game was removed.

XDefiant

Ubisoft Did Not Answer The Call Of Duty

Ubisoft attempted to develop a shooter game similar to Call of Duty, aiming to make an impact in the multiplayer market. However, it was surprising since Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, one of their most popular ongoing games, is often compared to Call of Duty modes by fans.

Launched in May 2024 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, XDefiant unfortunately had to close its servers just one year later in June 2025, as announced by Ubisoft back in December. This decision hasn’t done much to improve the company’s tarnished reputation, which has been under scrutiny lately. Although XDefiant wasn’t a commercial success, its closure has added to the growing criticism facing Ubisoft.

2025-08-15 07:36