10 Video Games That Would Get CANCELED Today

10 Games That Would Get Canceled Today

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we are looking at the concept that wouldn’t fly by today’s standards. Whether they push the boundaries of what is appropriate, or they’re just the product of a different time, these games would not have made it to release without protests outside the developers building.

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)

We start this list with the much beloved Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and it comes in here for one reason, and one reason only, the mission “No Russian”. It would be even worse, had the mission not been remade with relatively minor backlash in 2020. Had the game been created at this moment in 2024 as an original concept, and not a remake, we can guarantee it would not have gone down well with the general public, and arguably for good reasons. Having a mission to require the player to open fire in a crowded airport, is rough for a lot of reasons that I have neither the time, or bravery to go into, so this Aussie is gonna opt for not touching that topic, and move on to the next entry.

“Bully” (2006)

This infamous title, developed by little known developer Rockstar (you’ve probably never heard of them) BARELY made it through its 2006 release, so imagining this concept being tackled for the first time in 2024 makes us shudder. As a core concept, the game paddles into real murky waters, ignoring all the bad things you can get up to, being able to live out a delinquent fantasy is already a rough sell, especially given that the majority of anti video game protesters try to link video game behaviors to real world behaviors. Imagine this game in 2024, with cyberharassment being an option, it would struggle to make it onto store shelves.

“Gotcha!” (1973)

This arcade game from the 70’s sat awkwardly in the corner of many arcades, for one weird reason, but we’ll get to that in a second. The fairly tame game saw one player chasing down another in a pong style artstyle. As the pursuer gets closer to the victim, the music increases causing panic and laughs with friends. The issue with this game comes from the artwork, and the arcade cabinet itself, which implies it’s a man chasing down a woman. The cabinet is famous, as it replaces a joystick with two large breast-like controls. The controls were eventually replaced with regular joysticks, even back in the 70’s. Imagine having an arcade cabinet like this in the corner of the arcade? That would last 2 days before it was thrown out.

“Hogs of War” (2000)

This worms like couch co-op game was beloved by a generation, and although the game is still good fun, the racial commentary is incredibly offensive. The Japanese team is yellow, and called 'sushi swine'. The French team is called 'Garlic Grunts'. And the germans 'Sow-A-Krauts'. The voice overs and impressions done by the voice actors are wildly prejudiced. It’s like a 1940’s Bugs Bunny cartoon coming to life in a video game, and by today’s standards, it probably would have a good run on CNN headlines.

“Freedom!” (1993)

Freedom! was designed similarly to MECC's earlier educational game The Oregon Trail, but instead of a highly successful educational game that became a long living hit for gaming fans, they created a far too open ended experience aiming to teach students about escaping slavery via the Underground Railroad. Developed with the help of an African-American consultant to ensure historical accuracy, the game was meant to support classroom instruction. However, in practice, and much like The Oregon Trail, most students played the game independently, which led to parents demanding its removal due to concerns over the game's perceived insensitivities towards the experiences of slaves. Although MECC attempted to collaborate with concerned groups to address these issues, they ultimately decided to withdraw the game. And THAT was in the 90’s .. Imagine it today.

“Rogue Warrior” (2009)

Ahhh yes, Rogue Warrior, the awful game that stars Mickey Rourke as a hardened US soldier who infiltrates North Korea, to swear as much as possible, and talk about how small Kim Jong Un’s penis is … Considering the Seth Rogen film The Interview almost started World War III, I wouldn’t have high hopes for this game in today’s political climate. The gameplay would get it canceled among video game enthusiasts, the swearing would get it canceled among worried mothers, and the North Korea content would get it canceled among nervous politicians, overall, it would get canceled.

“Manhunt 2” (2007)

Violence in video games doesn’t get you in so much trouble in 2024, simply because the market is so oversaturated that a violent video game release happens every other day. But for a mainstream game, which features gratuitous violence for the sake of gratuitous violence, without much substance to give it context, you can still get a good slap on the wrist. In Manhunt 2, players carry out (let’s say) ‘visually explicit’ executions, categorized as “hasty,” “violent,” or “gruesome”.

“BMX XXX” (2002)

Remember when GTA San Andreas nearly got taken off the market due to players unearthing unused game files which featured a mini-game that allowed the player to have sex? Well 2 years earlier, this 2002 gem managed to slip by fairly unnoticed. Complete with naked game models, and real strip club videos, I’m embarrassed to say I picked this up with relative ease back in 2002 … I was young. MOVING ON!

“JFK Reloaded” (2004)

Remember one of the most historically significant presidential assassinations of all time? Remember how it rocked a nation, and reverberated emotions the world over? Well, In JFK Reloaded, players take on the role of Lee Harvey Oswald as he assassinates the U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The game faced heavy criticism for its controversial subject matter, with a spokesman for Senator Ted Kennedy calling it "despicable." A game that recreates the assassination of a president might stir outrage if released today, and there’s no way it would be accepted.

“Conker’s Bad Fur Day” (2001)

One of the most beloved and enjoyed N64 games comes in the form of Conker's Bad Fur Day. A classic by all accounts, which features a good amount of misogyny, homophobia, and misogyny .. Did I mention misogyny? By today’s standards, some of the jokes might be considered tasteless, even through the lens of nostalgia, not every moment in this game lands with players in 2024. Drinking, swearing, prejudice, all wrapped up in what looks like a kids game. I’m not sure if publishers would let that fly today, or at the VERY least, they would market it CLEARLY as an adult game … Anyways, I’m gonna go play Conker's Bad Fur Day now.