6. Ashes Cricket 2013
The newest game on the list came out just last month but was pulled from shelves so fast that it's unlikely that many people got to play it before it disappeared forever. It was first pushed back from June though most people saw that as one of the normal delays that games face. When it eventually went on release in November it managed to gain such reviews as "shameful," "embarrassing" and even "unfinished." Indeed the game somehow went on sale without even featuring an animation for catching. A pretty important part of cricket being that it's essential to winning. Instead, the ball would get CLOSE to a players hands but then inexplicably disappear or teleport into their grasp with the play reverting to their regular stance as if nothing had happened. Apparently it didn't matter to the players that they were being forced to play with a ghost ball. To put that into perspective that's like having a modern day football game with no tackle animation. Instead, when you get near an opponent you just teleport up the pitch now in possession of the ball. Sounds reasonable right? Players and umpires alike moved unnaturally and with a weird wobble celebration for players when you finally did get someone OUT. That in itself was near impossible considering the frustrating button lag that it also showcased. The graphics were of a PS2 standard and that's being generous since there are many PS2 games that look much better. The crowds were just square blobs in seats with no atmosphere and barely a texture to be seen in game. Not since Gaelic Games Football has a niche sports game been so bland. To be fair, I'm not sure we can even call it a "game" considering it was never finished in the first place. 505 Games blamed the debacle on the developer not being able to get a grasp on the chosen game engine, despite promising they could deliver a cutting edge cricket game. In truth, Ashes Cricket was never going to sell in the numbers of a FIFA or Madden franchise but cricket has a large, loyal fan base, many of whom are dying for a proper representation of the sport they love. Unfortunately for them, what they got was an unintentionally funny, shambles of a release. Most frustrating was a lack of an option to control your players having a tea break from play. Though they probably wouldn't even have got that right.