7 Amazing Video Games You Can't Actually Play Anymore
advertisement
VOICE OVER: Riccardo Tucci
WRITTEN BY: Ty Richardson
Not every video game is made available forever, and over the past couple decades some good games have vanished into the aether. For this list we're looking at great games that were taken down and are no longer available for purchase. Our countdown includes “Deadpool” (2013), “Lego The Lord of the Rings” (2012), “The Simpsons Arcade Game” (2012) and more!
Script written by Ty Richardson
Welcome to MojoPlays, and this is our list of Amazing Video Games You Can't Actually Play Anymore. Unfortunately, not every game is made available forever, and over the past couple decades, some good games have vanished into the aether. Please note that we aren't considering MMOs as those have lists of their own.
When it initially launched, “P.T.” (or “Playable Teaser”) was the demo that had everyone talking. It was hard not running into a tweet or YouTube video about it! Not only was it terrifying and enigmatic, but when players discovered the demo was a tease for a new “Silent Hill” game, all hell broke loose. A new “Silent Hill” made by Hideo Kojima and Guillermo del Toro starring Norman Reedus? Sign us up!! ...Or, at least, that’s what we would have said had Konami not pulled the plug on the entire project. Following some internal dispute, Konami delisted “P.T.” from the PlayStation Store, and Kojima would depart from the company after finishing his work on “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain”. On top of that, Konami went so far as to ensure no one could reinstall the game! The only way to experience this is through fan remakes and let’s play videos.
While the game isn't perfect, "Deadpool" still provided enough entertainment for fans of the Merc with a Mouth thanks to its ridiculous combat, hilarious writing, and exceptional performance from Nolan North. Unfortunately, fans weren't given a heck of a lot of time to nab a copy. Merely SIX MONTHS after launch, Activision was forced to pull the game from storefronts due to their license with Marvel expiring. However, fans were given a second chance to buy the game in 2015 when Activision published a remaster of the game built for modern hardware. This was most likely to help promote the 2016 "Deadpool" movie, but the game would be delisted a second time in late 2017. It wasn't even relisted for "Deadpool 2"...
In the early and mid-2010’s, “Transformers” saw a few exceptional titles, the most notable ones being “Fall of Cybertron” from High Moon Studios (the folks behind “Deadpool”) and “Devastation” from Platinum Games. Both games were praised for their exciting combat and visuals, but their time would come to an end in late 2017 when all “Transformers” games were mysteriously delisted from digital storefronts. Turns out the reason behind the delistings was because Activision’s license to publish “Transformers” games had expired with Hasbro. So, if “Transformers Battlegrounds” looks like your cup of tea, you might want to nab it when it launches October 2020 before THAT vanishes, too!
A sad example of “only the good die young”, “World War Toons” had a ton of potential behind it. In addition to a unique aesthetic reminiscent of “Looney Tunes”, the game was being developed by an entire studio comprised of former Infinity Ward developers (one of the studios behind the “Call of Duty” franchise). “World War Toons” was a cartoonish take on WW2 military shooters that offered VR compatibility, and it saw a handful of praise from those who downloaded the open beta. Unfortunately, the game was pulled in late 2017 and went quiet for an extensive period of time. It wasn’t until March 2019 when developer Studio Roqovan (formerly known as Reload Studios) announced it was closing its doors, citing the game’s development was growing more complicated in addition to cancelled projects.
As we saw with “Deadpool” and the “Transformers” games, licensed titles are all wrapped up in legal terms, making them more likely to be pulled from sale. Not even the LEGO games are exempt from this inevitable fate as both “LEGO Lord of the Rings” and “LEGO The Hobbit” games were delisted for a time. No reason was given as to why, but it probably had something to do with the fact that both games were based on their respective film trilogies and even reused audio from the films! It wasn’t until April 2020 when both games were relisted, BUT - and this is a big one - they were only relisted for certain platforms. You can only purchase “LEGO Lord of the Rings” on Steam and “LEGO The Hobbit” on PS4 and Steam. Any other platform has yet to return.
Even before “P.T.” and their dispute with Kojima, Konami was going on a delisting spree in the early 2010’s. In early February 2012, the world finally got to experience “The Simpsons Arcade” on console for the first time ever. Before then, the only way to play the game was if you could find a working cabinet. However, after Konami took down 2D fighting game “Skullgirls” due to an ending business deal, the publisher delisted “The Simpsons Arcade” from PS3 and Xbox 360 without giving any reason. One could easily dismiss it as a case of expired licenses, but the fact that Konami never explained the reason behind its removal makes it all the more frustrating.
With its frenetic action and explosive combat, the “Scott Pilgrim” video game has gone down as one of the best movie tie-in games to play. Despite seeing critical success, the game was removed four years after launch, most likely due to the license expiring. Over the years, the game has become the poster child for the subject of video game preservation as it is almost impossible to play the game due to its digital-only release. However, the tides may be turning in time for the movie’s anniversary. Both Bryan Lee O’Malley and Edgar Wright (creator of Scott Pilgrim and director of the “Scott Pilgrim” movie respectively) have tweeted out to Ubisoft asking for the game to be brought back. Surprisingly, Ubisoft has paid attention and replied.
Amazing Video Games You Can’t Actually Play Anymore
Welcome to MojoPlays, and this is our list of Amazing Video Games You Can't Actually Play Anymore. Unfortunately, not every game is made available forever, and over the past couple decades, some good games have vanished into the aether. Please note that we aren't considering MMOs as those have lists of their own.
“P.T.” (2014)
When it initially launched, “P.T.” (or “Playable Teaser”) was the demo that had everyone talking. It was hard not running into a tweet or YouTube video about it! Not only was it terrifying and enigmatic, but when players discovered the demo was a tease for a new “Silent Hill” game, all hell broke loose. A new “Silent Hill” made by Hideo Kojima and Guillermo del Toro starring Norman Reedus? Sign us up!! ...Or, at least, that’s what we would have said had Konami not pulled the plug on the entire project. Following some internal dispute, Konami delisted “P.T.” from the PlayStation Store, and Kojima would depart from the company after finishing his work on “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain”. On top of that, Konami went so far as to ensure no one could reinstall the game! The only way to experience this is through fan remakes and let’s play videos.
“Deadpool” (2013)
While the game isn't perfect, "Deadpool" still provided enough entertainment for fans of the Merc with a Mouth thanks to its ridiculous combat, hilarious writing, and exceptional performance from Nolan North. Unfortunately, fans weren't given a heck of a lot of time to nab a copy. Merely SIX MONTHS after launch, Activision was forced to pull the game from storefronts due to their license with Marvel expiring. However, fans were given a second chance to buy the game in 2015 when Activision published a remaster of the game built for modern hardware. This was most likely to help promote the 2016 "Deadpool" movie, but the game would be delisted a second time in late 2017. It wasn't even relisted for "Deadpool 2"...
“Transformers: Devastation” (2015) & “Transformers: Fall of Cybertron” (2012)
In the early and mid-2010’s, “Transformers” saw a few exceptional titles, the most notable ones being “Fall of Cybertron” from High Moon Studios (the folks behind “Deadpool”) and “Devastation” from Platinum Games. Both games were praised for their exciting combat and visuals, but their time would come to an end in late 2017 when all “Transformers” games were mysteriously delisted from digital storefronts. Turns out the reason behind the delistings was because Activision’s license to publish “Transformers” games had expired with Hasbro. So, if “Transformers Battlegrounds” looks like your cup of tea, you might want to nab it when it launches October 2020 before THAT vanishes, too!
“World War Toons” (2016)
A sad example of “only the good die young”, “World War Toons” had a ton of potential behind it. In addition to a unique aesthetic reminiscent of “Looney Tunes”, the game was being developed by an entire studio comprised of former Infinity Ward developers (one of the studios behind the “Call of Duty” franchise). “World War Toons” was a cartoonish take on WW2 military shooters that offered VR compatibility, and it saw a handful of praise from those who downloaded the open beta. Unfortunately, the game was pulled in late 2017 and went quiet for an extensive period of time. It wasn’t until March 2019 when developer Studio Roqovan (formerly known as Reload Studios) announced it was closing its doors, citing the game’s development was growing more complicated in addition to cancelled projects.
“Lego The Lord of the Rings” (2012) & “Lego The Hobbit” (2014)
As we saw with “Deadpool” and the “Transformers” games, licensed titles are all wrapped up in legal terms, making them more likely to be pulled from sale. Not even the LEGO games are exempt from this inevitable fate as both “LEGO Lord of the Rings” and “LEGO The Hobbit” games were delisted for a time. No reason was given as to why, but it probably had something to do with the fact that both games were based on their respective film trilogies and even reused audio from the films! It wasn’t until April 2020 when both games were relisted, BUT - and this is a big one - they were only relisted for certain platforms. You can only purchase “LEGO Lord of the Rings” on Steam and “LEGO The Hobbit” on PS4 and Steam. Any other platform has yet to return.
“The Simpsons Arcade Game” (2012)
Even before “P.T.” and their dispute with Kojima, Konami was going on a delisting spree in the early 2010’s. In early February 2012, the world finally got to experience “The Simpsons Arcade” on console for the first time ever. Before then, the only way to play the game was if you could find a working cabinet. However, after Konami took down 2D fighting game “Skullgirls” due to an ending business deal, the publisher delisted “The Simpsons Arcade” from PS3 and Xbox 360 without giving any reason. One could easily dismiss it as a case of expired licenses, but the fact that Konami never explained the reason behind its removal makes it all the more frustrating.
“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game” (2010)
With its frenetic action and explosive combat, the “Scott Pilgrim” video game has gone down as one of the best movie tie-in games to play. Despite seeing critical success, the game was removed four years after launch, most likely due to the license expiring. Over the years, the game has become the poster child for the subject of video game preservation as it is almost impossible to play the game due to its digital-only release. However, the tides may be turning in time for the movie’s anniversary. Both Bryan Lee O’Malley and Edgar Wright (creator of Scott Pilgrim and director of the “Scott Pilgrim” movie respectively) have tweeted out to Ubisoft asking for the game to be brought back. Surprisingly, Ubisoft has paid attention and replied.
Sign in
to access this feature