TV · List · June 1, 2026 · 4d ago

10 Games We Bet You Didn't Actually Finish

· 3 min read

✦ AI Summary

From notoriously difficult challenges to outright broken experiences, some games demand a level of dedication few players can truly muster. This list dives into titles that test the limits of player patience and perseverance.

Bubsy 3D

Released in 1996, this platformer is a masterclass in how not to make a game, featuring famously awkward controls and a camera that actively works against you. Finishing Bubsy 3D feels less like a triumph and more like enduring a bizarre, frustrating punishment.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

FromSoftware games are known for their difficulty, but Sekiro's relentless boss encounters and demanding combat system pushed even seasoned players to their breaking point. While many tried, the sheer wall of challenge meant victory was a rare achievement earned through sheer grit.

Superman 64

Plagued by a perpetual fog that obscured vision and a control scheme that felt actively hostile, Superman 64 is infamous for its miserable gameplay. Most players likely rented it out of morbid curiosity and abandoned the quest to fly through rings long before the credits.

Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy

This physics-based indie darling is designed for maximum player frustration, where one wrong move can send you plummeting back down hours of painstaking progress. The game's appeal lies in its sheer, unadulterated rage-quitting potential, making full completion a badge of masochistic honor.

Dark Souls

The original Dark Souls set a new standard for punishing difficulty in 2011, a challenge that famously sent many players packing before they could truly experience its world. While fans revel in its demanding nature, the idea of anyone conquering its later bosses without significant mental fortitude remains a subject of debate.

Ride to Hell: Retribution

This 2013 action game is widely considered one of the worst of its generation, rife with bugs, nonsensical gameplay, and a story that fails to engage. Its sheer awfulness makes the prospect of playing through its entirety a Herculean task few would willingly undertake.

Superman 64 (N64)

Revisiting this 1999 title, its legacy as a broken experience is cemented by its infamous ring-collecting missions and a pervasive, game-breaking fog. It's a game that tested the patience of even the most dedicated Nintendo 64 owners, with many likely giving up before seeing the end.

Final Fantasy XIII

While a beloved franchise, Final Fantasy XIII's linear design and repetitive combat, released in 2009, proved divisive. Many players found the journey tedious, with the sheer length and lack of player freedom leading to significant drop-off rates before reaching Gran Pulse.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Though a Nintendo staple, Skyward Sword's (2011) motion controls and repetitive item-finding quests frustrated many players. The reliance on precise, often finicky, waggle mechanics made progressing through its dungeons a chore for a significant portion of its audience.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

This 2001 sequel famously sidelined its beloved protagonist for a new character, Raiden, and threw players into a convoluted plot. The bait-and-switch, coupled with extended cutscenes and complex mechanics, led many to abandon the game before uncovering its full narrative. Bottom Line: These games are less about finishing and more about surviving the experience.