10 Hated Video Games That Became Cult Classics

When a hyped game fails miserably to meet expectations, the masses will make their disappointment crystal clear. There was such an outcry over Alien Colonial Marines, The Avengers, and Babylon's Fall, they are now regarded, not just as underwhelming, but infamous. Even though judgments like this are harsh, they're justified if the IPs in question are incomplete, buggy, or unplayable.

However, there are times where the mob mentality goes too far. The instant there's any hint an anticipated platformer, shooter, or RPG might not be a masterpiece, people jump on the bandwagon, declaring it as an unmitigated disaster. Gamers can become so overly focused on a single negative attribute of the game, they'll write it off without hesitation. Sometimes, the hate is so pre-emptive, people will criticise an upcoming title before playing it. (Look at what happened with Wind Waker.)

Now, that's not suggesting the entries on this list are perfect. However, they have so many redeemable qualities, it's obvious they never deserved the animosity they received.

These ten titles may have been reviled upon their debut, but they are now considered cult-classics.

After the success of Mega Man 2, Capcom churned out a plethora of sequels, hoping to milk the Blue Bomber for everything he was worth. Sadly, Mega Man 3, 4, 5, and 6 brought nothing new to the table, causing the platforming franchise to stagnate.

Although Capcom hoped Mega Man VII would reinvigorate the series, it was criticised for being formulaic and dated. The towering success of the rebooted Mega Man X, which was released two years earlier, further highlighted how obsolete the classic games had become.

But upon revisiting Mega's seventh outing, it's clear it shouldn't have been discounted. Even though MMVII follows the same formula as its forebearers, the gameplay is far more diverse. The instant the game begins, it's obvious the developers put more focus on story, humour, and Mega's relationship with his allies.

VII boasts a horde of secrets that can only be found with specific power-ups, encouraging players to revisit completed areas, after obtaining the desired item. The inclusion of a shop is clever, since it compels players to seek out currency and strategise which upgrades will give the heroic android the best chance of survival.

With its catchy tunes, creative level design, imaginative enemies, tricky bosses, and innovative weapons, it's hard to believe MMVII was considered a misfire.