Top 10 Games Critics Hated but Fans Loved

Top 10 Games Critics Hated But Fans Loved

The critics know what they’re talking about, but sometimes, but that doesn’t mean they always get it right. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today, we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Games Critics Hated But Fans Loved!

For this list, we’re looking at video games that were a mixed bag among critics but still managed to win the love of many gamers.

#10: “Double Dragon Neon” (2012)

Given how much games have evolved over the years, it can be difficult to bring a classic arcade game into the modern world. Graphics may not be much of an issue, but the overall gameplay and feel can make a game feel aged. That’s how critics felt towards “Double Dragon Neon”, which was commonly described as “outdated”. Fans, on the other hand, enjoyed the old-school formula, praising it for playing similarly to the originals while updating the graphics. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

#9: “Kirby Air Ride” (2003)

“Kirby Air Ride” was the Kirby game we never knew we wanted. Well...most of us. Critics were a little harsh on our cuddly pink friend’s racing game. The most frequent complaints were aimed at the controls and somewhat steep learning curve. However, most players didn’t really take issue with either of those. If anything, “Kirby Air Ride” is just another one of those games that’s easy to learn, but difficult to master. Plus, didn’t the addictive multiplayer warrant a higher score? Ah, who cares! Who's up for a round of City Trial?

#8: “Monster Hunter Freedom” (2006)

Before the success of “Monster Hunter World,” the franchise had a few entries that didn’t sit well with reviewers. “Monster Hunter Freedom” - a remaster of the first two games in the series - was one of the more interesting cases. Critics had complaints about clunky controls, long load times, and the lack of a compelling narrative. As for the hardcore players, they didn’t mind these problems, as it was a chance to experience the franchises’ roots. For fans of the seemingly never-ending experiences that “Monster Hunter” typically provides, it was well worth the price.

#7: “Spider-Man: Web of Shadows” (2008)

Spidey has had a rocky history with the video game market. While many fans feel that the movie tie-in “Spider-Man 2” has been the Wall Crawler’s best outing, others would argue that “Web of Shadows” is actually better. After all, this is as close to a complete “Spider-Man” experience as we have gotten. When you’re swinging through the air and sneaking around baddies, you truly feel like the web-slinger himself. Reviewers noted the technical issues and difficult camera, but those were issues that players could easily overlook. For many fans, “Web of Shadows” iterated on many of the things that worked in “Spider-Man 2” and delivered a great game.

#6: “Pokémon Mystery Dungeon” series (2006-)

The “Pokemon” franchise hasn’t had the most stellar spin-offs. You don’t really hear many people talking about “Pokemon Channel” or even “Pokemon Dash”. However, the “Mystery Dungeon” series has seen some success among hardcore fans. Despite critics not warming up to the “dungeon-crawler” approach, fans appreciated the unique take on the series. With the ability to play as a Pokemon, it’s hard not to see the appeal in the “Mystery Dungeon” games. Besides, the spin-off series is still going, over a decade later. That’s got to show its success, right?

#5: “Deadly Premonition” (2010)

Some games are bad, some games are good… this game is so bad, it’s good. “Deadly Premonition” has built a massive following because of how strange, awkward, and unconventional its entire story is. While the critics noted the absurd writing and hilariously bad dialogue, most of them admitted it was a part of the game’s charm. This didn’t keep them from giving low scores, though. For some players, that’s just what keeps us playing it multiple times. The feedback was so mixed that Guinness World Records named it the “Most Critically Polarizing Survival Horror Game.” Ang given the specificity of that award, we don’t see how any game could ever take it away.

#4: “Dynasty Warriors” series (1997-)

The “Dynasty Warriors” series has been notorious for its terrible review scores. The first game in the “Dynasty Warriors” series is a pretty straight-forward one-on-one fighter, but starting with 2000’s “Dynasty Warriors 2” the series has been about fighting waves and waves of enemies. It seems like, with every installment, the series is criticized for awful voice acting and incredibly repetitive gameplay. However, the fans believe that is what gives the franchise its charm. Its outrageousness makes the games fun and campy, and the gameplay is incredibly enjoyable when you get lost in the power fantasy of taking on armies by yourself. Hey, everyone likes their games differently!

#3: “God Hand” (2006)

Shinji Mikami has directed some pretty stellar games throughout his career. While he’s worked on games like “Resident Evil 4” and “The Evil Within”, he also directed this beat ‘em up game back in 2006. “God Hand” has since become a cult classic, but it didn’t do well critically. Reviewers didn’t hesitate to call it an absolutely terrible game, but this was one of those few instances where they admitted they couldn’t stop playing. While they couldn’t get past the outdated graphics, awful camera, and wonky controls, players loved its difficult and unique combat and over-the-top humor. Mikami wanted to create a hilarious martial arts game, and he certainly delivered.

#2: “Star Wars: Bounty Hunter” (2002)

We’ll admit that “Bounty Hunter” isn’t one of the best “Star Wars” games, but it certainly didn’t deserve some of the harsh remarks from critics. The game was heavily criticized for sloppy controls and a bad camera. Overall, critics just found the game to be incredibly boring. Thankfully, gamers weren’t too picky when it came to its technical issues. Many players were satisfied with the unique experience. After all, this is one of the few “Star Wars” games where you DON’T play as a Jedi. Plus, the secondary missions and bounty hunts kept us revisiting levels.

#1: “NieR” (2010)

Funny how the sequel from 2017 was insanely successful in comparison to its predecessor. Critics found “NieR’s” gameplay to be repetitive, the graphics were mediocre, and it was a drab experience overall. Not everyone was bugged by the game’s shortcomings, though. The story was so strong and engaging that it managed to resonate players for a long time. Many took a liking to its Zelda-inspired design, too. On top of that, users just couldn’t get enough of the wonderful music. “NieR” wasn’t a flawless game, but scores could have been higher than a few 5’s and 6’s.