10 Most Embarrassingly Poor Console Launch Games Of All Time

By Edward Owen /

5. Universal Studios Theme Park Adventure (GameCube)

Dear god, who the hell thought this was a good idea? Part of the GameCube's European release line-up, Universal Studios Theme Park Adventure was nothing more than a corporation's advert wrapped up with a few duff minigames, puzzles and €“ just to add to the variety €“ quizzes. It' s about as duff as it sounds, but somehow manages to be even worse than that. Taking its inspiration from various Universal Studios ride €“ which shockingly, at the time of release featured the ultra-sh*te Wild Wild West €“the game throws several repetitive acts at you. For example, there's a Jaws game where you throw barrels at a giant shark, a Back To The Future game where you constant chase Biff Tannen, a bike-riding ET game where you avoid obstacles and a Backdraft game where you save folk from fires. Oh, and alongside this, you can play pairs with a deck of Universal-themed cards, and be guided around the park by Woody Woodpecker. I'm sorry if none of this jumps out at you, but I'm afraid that's just the point €“ there's nothing to recommend about this game, and the fact it even exists remains a nonsense in and of itself. I'd liken it to one of those minefield games €“ the ones your well-meaning parents got you instead of Luigi's Mansion for Christmas, which received a cursory play before being taken back to the retailer and exchanged for a much better offering. Hell, anything's better than this, which regularly features among the worst games of all time.