Top 10 Worst Video Game DLC

We already spent good money on the core games; we're not buying this batch of extra content. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we countdown our picks for the Top 10 Worst Video Game DLC.

For this list we'll be taking a glance at the worst DLC, or downloadable content, in the realm of gaming. Whether due to price, nature of the content, or just being generally insulting, we feel that these examples of DLC set a poor standard for modern day gaming as a whole. We're sticking to paid DLC here, so no free content will be listed.

For something so basic, it's a surprise to find a real-world price tag attached. Fans of the open-world action RPG “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” were, shall we say, surprised to learn that in-game horse armour was available only via the Horse Armour Pack add-on... which costed between $1.99 and $2.50 depending on the system. While by no means the most atrocious example of paid downloadable content, it’s become a running joke in the gaming community as one of the first examples of ridiculous DLC.

DLC can take many forms – including alternate character colours, it seems. Yes, back in 2011 developer Capcom announced that “Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition” would receive various downloadable content, including something called Colour Pack 1. What did it entail? Well, it added seven alternate sprite colours to each playable character, which wouldn't show up in replays and couldn't be seen by one's opponent unless they too owned the DLC. We'll say this: it's an interesting move on Capcom's part.

While not game-breaking, this certainly feels like a buzzkill. “Mortal Kombat X”, the tenth main instalment of the brutal fighting game series, features the franchise's first instance of micro-transactions. Along with unlocking the contents of the Krypt for $20, the game offers players Easy Fatalities in packs of five or thirty... so long as you're willing to pay $0.99 or $4.99 respectively. Fatalities being the trademark difficult-to-perform yet cathartic special kills of “Mortal Kombat”, this new feature seems to undercut the appeal – and thus the fun – of Fatalities in general. Don’t even get us started on the pre-order bonus.

In theory nostalgic throwbacks are fun, but in execution not everything is a winner. Case in point: the Oscorp Search & Destroy Pack released for “The Amazing Spider-Man” is built upon simplistic recreations of classic arcade games. The first mini-game included, “Gwen's Hunter”, acts as a reskinned version of 1978's “Space Invaders”, while the second mini-game “Destroy the City Mission” is a clear clone of the game “Snake”. While these challenges are certainly loyal to their source material, depth is sacrificed in the process.

Even on release day, some companies just can't help themselves. Any gamers not able to pre-order “Mass Effect 3” would have had to spend an extra $10 to obtain this content on Day 1, focusing on a special mission to Eden Prime. Of greater note, however, is the crewmember made available via the DLC – Javik, a member of the not-insignificant Prothean race. It's one thing to make a side-mission paid content, but walling off a character tied into a series' lore unless feels unnaturally greedy. Plus, the mission isn’t even that good…

Similar to Elite Status in “Madden 2010”, this is a case of difficulty being withheld for a fee. “Metro: Last Light”, a first-person shooter published by Deep Silver, raised controversy upon release for having the hardcore, ultra-immersive Ranger Mode difficulty setting as a pre-order exclusive. Ranger Mode was eventually made available to all players... for $4.99 after the initial cost of the game. What's worse is that the mode was promoted as the way “Last Light” was intended to be experienced – take what you will from that.

Is $60 plus the cost of one season pass not enough for you? Well, for fans of Turtle Rock Studios' cooperative shooter “Evolve”, there's now the prospect of a second season pass with which to contend. Offering four new hunters, some new skins and one new monster, Evolve Hunting Season 2 launched in June 2015 costing $25 (The same price as the first Season Pass) – with the added detail that each character would be available for purchase individually. Combined with practices such as selling the Behemoth monster for $15 and a seriously confusing batch of DLC right at launch, and there's no shortage of questionable decisions here.

For how it was pitched, this add-on seems lacking. For the uninformed: “The Saboteur” was a 2009 open-world game set during World War II, with players taking the role of resistance fighter Sean Devlin. The Midnight Show, included free with new copies of the game and later sold separately for $5, was intended to add some extra features into the game world... most notably the ability to turn on full nudity for the game's brothel girls. Setting aside the controversy of the content itself, it's hard to justify charging players extra money for what is, at best, a minor feature.

There's a crowd for every game, certainly, but this is a stretch. With each update of the train simulation game “Railworks”, now known as “Train Simulator”, the amount of downloadable content available for purchase has grown. It is estimated that the game's backlog of DLC has a value of over $2000, mostly consisting of different locomotives and routes. Despite the developer stating that they don't expect players to buy all the content, the sheer breadth of it suggests otherwise. We're speechless, to say the least.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

25 Lives Pack
“Sonic Lost World” (2013)

Shortcut Pack
“Battlefield” series (2011-2013)

Katy Perry Sweet Treats
“The Sims 3” (2009)

Senran Kagura Costume
“Dead or Alive 5” (2012)

“The Dark Below”
“Destiny” (2014)

For fans of the game and general gamers alike, this was one heck of an insult. “Asura's Wrath” ends on a cliffhanger immediately after what appeared to be the final battle... except that wasn't quite the end. The publisher Capcom revealed that a bonus fourth chapter would be sold for $7, containing the conclusive finale to the game. Besides the upsetting idea that a developer traded cohesive storytelling for profit, there's nothing good to be said about players having to choose between accepting the game they have and paying for a complete experience. Imagine if Star Wars ended right after our hero’s rescue the princess, and you had to pay extra if you wanted to see the Death-star battle? That’s basically it.
Do you agree with our list? What’s your least favorite video game DLC? For more expansive Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.