You Can Kill The Game But You Can't Kill The Gamers

[Revan]

They say that only the good die young, and it would stand to reason that the same holds true for videogames. But is that really the case? We look back at three games that died so young they never even made it out: They were cancelled before they could land on store shelves. Did gamers lose out on a great experience, or was it a lucky break for their unsuspecting wallets?


Thrill Kill
Platform: PS1 | Pub: Virgin Interactive

What Was It? This would've been the first four-player brawler for a home console...had it been released. It would also have been the first fighting game in which you could perform lewd acts with a midget on stilts. And to think that some people argue that games aren't art.

Why Did It Have to Die? Good taste killed Thrill Kill; when megagiant Electronic Arts purchased the game's publisher, Virgin Interactive, it decided that dismembering a French maid in graphic detail wasn't really keeping with the company's family-friendly image. The game engine lived on and eventually powered the unremarkable Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style (PS1).

Should We Mourn Our Loss? Thrill Kill was designed around shock value and titillation rather than, you know, good gameplay. And four-player action is no longer a novelty; be content with your Super Smash Bros. and Power Stone.


Mega Man Battle & Chase
Platform: PS1 | Pub: Capcom

What Was It?
One of the first wholesale Mario Kart rip-offs, this PS1 racer featured classic Mega Man trying to thwart Dr. Wily's plans to conquer the world with go-karts. Of particular note was the ability to swipe parts from defeated foes to tune your own ride.

Why Did It Have to Die? Japanese and European gamers were able to enjoy Battle & Chase, and Capcom advertised it extensively in the United States. Rumor has it that Sony CEA (which must approve all third-party titles) was responsible for the game's 11th-hour cancellation; the awkward racing controls must have offended someone important.

Should We Mourn Our Loss? Battle & Chase wasn't too bad for what it was...but it doesn't matter, because Capcom's including it in the upcoming Mega Man X Collection (PS2/GC).


Earthbound Zero
Platform: NES | Pub: Nintendo

What Was It? Nintendo's answer to Dragon Warrior, this seemingly generic role-playing game has two things that make it very different than its contemporaries: It stars normal kids in a modern-day setting, and it is strange to the point of being nearly nonsensical. The Super NES sequel came here as Earthbound and earned a frothingly loyal cult fan base.

Why Did It Have to Die? According to sources close to Nintendo, Earthbound Zero was finished up and ready to go but ultimately found itself delayed for marketing reasons. Then the Super NES arrived, causing interest in games for the company's first system to fizzle.

Should We Mourn Our Loss? Definitely, if you're a fan of Earthbound—its predecessor features the same kind of quirky gameplay and humor. Our advice: Skip the illegal ROMs and write to Nintendo and politely request that it release the Japan-only GBA Earthbound collection in America.