10 Amazing Video Games That Didn't Deserve To Flop

2. Need For Speed Unbound

need for speed unbound
EA

We've talked already about a great racing game that didn't deserve to die already on this list, but 2022 featured another casualty in Need for Speed Unbound.

Similar to Midnight Suns, the latest entry into the identity crisis-ridden NFS franchise was a case of amazing game, wrong time. Dropping in late November after a quick announcement-to-release turnaround and little marketing, the excellent racer struggled out of the gate.

The title's stylistic flourishes perhaps didn't help, with cartoon-y overlays punctuating the otherwise straightforwardly photo-realistic arenas and vehicles. Nor did the general state of the series, with previous instalments coming and going without great reviews or sales.

But Unbound was a brilliant return to form and a treat for fans of arcade racers. Reviews and impressions reflected that too, but it didn't stop the game from debuting at a dreadful no.17 in the UK charts the week it launched, making it an undeniable flop. Or as one report put it, a "mega flop".

Contributor

Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked nine of those years as a full-time content producer at WhatCulture. In that period he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple WhatCulture channels, specialising in gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 UK most listened to gaming podcast that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, opined on breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.