Cult classics are a fascinating subject, whether they’re in games or movies, but they can be hard to define. A cult classic simply means a game has a following of a smaller cult-like size. Games likeMetal Gear Risingmight be considered by some to be a cult classic, but it’s way too popular. When the boss music compilation has 28 million views on YouTube, that firmly places it outside of cult classic territory.
These cult classic games are especially fun to talk about with your friends because they feel more special when the community’s smaller and more concentrated.
The first cult classic title many will think of isDeadly Premonition, and it’s easy to see why. Objectively, this game has so many problems, but it has a massive heart and lots of ambition. The writing, characters, and voice acting are incredibly charming, hooking you in and making you want to keep playing.
The plot actually takes several drastic turns, and the climax delivers a revelation that makes this game legendary. To boot, Deadly Premonition’s open-world, and many NPCs have actual schedules throughout the day. You can’t help but love this game and appreciate what the developers tried to pull off with so few resources.
2015
Wii U
At this point, there’s not a lot of Wii U games that are still exclusive to the platform, but one of the few remaining is Devil’s Third. Despite receiving poor reviews at release and suffering low sales initially, over time, Devil’s Third became a cult classic with action game enthusiasts and ballooned in price.
The title definitely has its flaws with outdated graphics and terrible performance on real hardware, but similar toResident Evil 6, once you actually get the hybrid combat system, you can have a ton of fun here. The dynamic, fast-flowing shooting and melee combat works exceptionally well in many encounters, plus the controls are tight and responsive. It’s not worth the ridiculously high price, but the game’s one of the best remaining Wii U exclusives andbest action titles for the platform.
2001
PlayStation 2, PSP
Rhythm games were big business back in the PS2 generation, and one of the best was the underground cult favorite Gitaroo Man. The gameplay structure is similar toSpace Channel 5, but instead of a level-based one, you beat bosses one after another.
It’s also much harder than Space Channel 5, with the trace lines you need to match up becoming faster and more complex quite early on. You definitely want toplay this game on a CRTbecause you won’t get very far otherwise. Gitaroo Man won’t win you over if you’re a non-fan of rhythm games, but for hardcore genre fans, it’s a must-play due to its rewarding and satisfying high-level play.
2005
GameCube, PlayStation 2, PC
No More Heroeswas the first Suda51 game to reach worldwide critical and commercial success, but the previous title from the developer was and still is a cult classic. Killer7 remains unique to this day, even compared to other Suda51 titles. It’s an action-adventure game, but the adventure is lessZeldaand more point-and-click, and the action is like nothing you’ve ever played before.
It can be a tough game to get into for that very reason, but if you stick with it, you’ll find astory that’s one-of-a-kind in gaming. Killer7 would be a great example of video games as an art form, and when you beat it, you’ll see why many Suda51 fans still consider it the best work he’s ever done.
2006
Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, Switch (Japan only)
Another 360 game that objectively has many problems, yet you can’t deny its entertainment value, isEarth Defense Force 2017. Shooting hordes of bugs akin to Starship Troopers orHelldivers 2never ceases to be fun, despite the poor-looking visuals.
The further titles in the franchise are even better with the carnage on display, but the first localized one was the cult classic that started it all. Just be warned that you probably shouldn’t play these titles if you have a phobia of certain types of bugs.
2009
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
There are some games that offer a story or writing so good that it’s worth playing just for that alone. Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard would be in that camp. The game’s premise is very similar to the 2021 movie Free Guy with a gaming company trying to kill off a video game character who keeps ruining their plans.
Instead of a weak protagonist, though, you play as a legendary gaming hero who is washed up. Theincredible voice acting, humor, and numerous video game parodies are delivered so well that it makes up for the mediocre third-person cover shooter gameplay. This title could have had franchise potential, but due to poor reviews and low sales, that didn’t happen.
Platforms
Original: 2003 - Rehydrated: 2020
Original: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube - Rehydrated: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, iOS, Android
Everyone has a few games they remember fondly from their childhood but recognize they aren’t actually good.SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottomwould seem to follow suit, but virtually everyone remembers this game fondly, even though the title wasn’t widely recognized as a good quality licensed game until fairly recently.
A collectathon platformer, Battle for Bikini Bottom is great for fans and non-fans alike, with its faithfulness to the cartoon and stellar level design and platforming gameplay. The Rehydrated version’s excellent, too, and while it’s not in theelite class of sixth-gen platformers, it’s definitely in the lower end of the top ten.
1998
PlayStation
Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012 is a game you probably never heard of, but you should knowTwisted Metal. The acclaimed vehicular combat series remains an important PlayStation IP, with four main installments released on the PS1. However, Twisted Metal 3 and 4 were a massive step down from what came before, and it should come as little surprise that co-developers SingleTrac left after the second game to later create Rogue Trip.
This title’s in a completely different league than those later Twisted Metal games, complete with its own array of awesome vehicles and weapons. In Twisted Metal, you had an ice cream truck, but in this title, you get to drive in a Wienermobile. You just can’t go wrong with that.
PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC
Comic book video games were very hit-and-miss in the sixth-gen. You had classics like the original Spider-Man 2 and The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, but a ton of garbage titles as well. The Punisher nears the top echelon of those games objectively, but in terms of fun factor, it’s right inside that place.
Just like theArkhamgames in how you really feel like Batman, The Punisher makes you feel like the ruthless killing machine he was at the time. It’s incredibly satisfying to play, with its violence being more akin to Punisher: War Zone than the actual 2004 film it’s based on. The interrogation sequences are still effective today, and the game’s overall a fun title to replay every now and then.
1995
PC, PlayStation (Japan only)
A common aspect you’d see in most point-and-click adventure games is the humor. The genre fits amazingly for comedy with its item usage, frequent stealing, and creative puzzles. A Beavis and Butt-Head game works perfectly for this genre, and Virtual Stupidity doesn’t disappoint.
Its humor is on-brand with the show, plus there are a lot of funny Easter eggs to discover. Despite receiving great reviews, Virtual Stupidity’s been sort of forgotten in the landscape of 90s adventure games, except for hardcore fans.
