List of recalled video games explained

This is a list of video games that have been recalled for various reasons after their initial release and then rereleased on a later date.

List

TitleScaleReasonReported Date
Atelier Lise ~The Alchemist of Orde~JapanContained several major bugs, which often leads to the game crashing.[1] 2008
JapanThe initial print run of the Dreamcast version was infected by the Kriz computer virus which affected Microsoft Windows systems. The screensaver virus that came with the bonus content partition in the GD-ROM erased CMOS and BIOS settings, and attempted to overwrite files located on hard drives and the local network.[2] 2001
Worldwide Massive issues with performance on PC, regardless of the quality of the system being used.[3] 2015
Biz Nouryoku DS Series: Wagokoro no MotoJapanOne day before release, one of the people who worked in the game was arrested for groping a woman. Some copies were sold, since the recall happened on launch.[4] 2007
Cyberpunk 2077WorldwideWidespread complaints about technical issues and bugs; poor performance on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles.[5] 2020
North AmericaDue to a highly-publicised incident involving initial copies of the game crashing on Compaq Presario computers with certain video drivers, defective copies of the game were recalled in exchange for a newer edition of the game with wider hardware support.[6] The Lion King controversy eventually led to the development of the more popular DirectX multimedia API.[7] 1994
FantasiaWorldwideSega was granted the licensing against the wishes of Walt Disney.[8] 1992[9]
Formula 1 97Worldwide While no content was edited from the game, a legal issue regarding the inclusion of the FIA logo in the game's box art prompted the game to be recalled and re-released with a new box art without the FIA logo.1997
WorldwideThe "Hot Coffee" mod which unlocks a minigame in which the main character has sex with his girlfriend. See Hot Coffee minigame controversy.2005
The Guy GameNorth AmericaOne of the girls featured in the game sued the developers, claiming the footage was released without her consent and that she was a minor at the time of filming.2005
Wii ports of Humongous Entertainment gamesNorth AmericaThe Wii ports of Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds, , and Spy Fox: Dry Cereal, published by Majesco Entertainment and ported by Mistic Software, were recalled in 2009 due to GNU GPL violations pertaining to ScummVM engine; all three games were recalled as a part of the port developer's settlement with ScummVM developers.[10] 2008
Kakuto ChojinUS, JapanUse of a verse from the Qur'an.[11] 2003
USUse of quotes from the Qur'an and the use of the Islamic Symbol.[12] 1998
Limbo of the LostEU, North America Immediately after its US release, this game developed by Majestic Studios (published by Tri Synergy in the US) was recalled due to allegations of plagiarizing many well-known games and movies.[13] 2007 (EU)2008 (NA)
LittleBigPlanetWorldwideQuotes from the Qur'an mixed with music.[14] 2008
Mario Party 8UKUse of the word "spastic," which is considered highly offensive in the UK.[15] 2007
JapanThe game has a serious game breaking software bug where it is possible for Samus Aran to accidentally get stuck in sector 3 by having a door lock up permanently.[16] 2010
Mind QuizUKUse of the word "spastic," which is considered highly offensive in the UK.[17] 2006
The Race Against TimeUKThe original print of the game was recalled due to its unauthorised use of the likeness of American track and field athlete Jesse Owens. Subsequent pressings used a picture of Carl Lewis; Lewis offered his likeness for free to benefit the Sport Aid charity.[18] ACE later placed it as one of the biggest marketing disasters of 1988.[19] 1988
Samurai Shodown V Special (AES version)WorldwideAn attempt to censor some of the finishing moves created several bugs, such as with the game's training mode.[20] 2004
DSUSA bug exists where the game could crash after talking to an opponent that must be defeated to progress in the second play through.2007
Sonic Blast ManNorth America, JapanYoung players fractured or injured wrists and arms as a result of hitting the Blastman's punching pad without using the gloves.[21] 1995
Worldwide Several stage names and dialogues were changed and a building in the final stage was modified to remove resemblance with the World Trade Center due to sensitivity issues, since the game was released after the September 11 attacks.2001
Tales of GracesJapanThe game contained many bugs, especially when playing a new game on "New Game+" mode.[22] 2010
Tiger Woods 99 (PlayStation version only)WorldwideThe dummy file in the game was revealed to be The Spirit of Christmas a.k.a. Jesus vs. Santa, created by the creators of South Park, which EA viewed as "offensive to consumers". No such file existed in the PC version.1999
Too Human and WorldwideDue to legal issues regarding the use of Unreal Engine 3 between Silicon Knights and Epic Games, these two games were recalled, with all unsold copies destroyed.[23] 2012
Wrestle Kingdom (Xbox 360 version only)JapanIssues with saving to Xbox 360's hard drive prompted a recall of the game.[24] 2005
WWF No Mercy WorldwideThe game's internal memory would occasionally erase saved game progress.[25] [26] 2000

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Atelier Lise bugged, Gust sending out replacement cartridges - Siliconera . February 2008 . 24 November 2013 . 26 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131126201315/http://www.siliconera.com/2008/01/31/atelier-lise-bugged-gust-sending-out-replacement-cartridges/ . live .
  2. Web site: Dreamcast game spreads virus. 30 November 2001. The Register. https://web.archive.org/web/20151213015808/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/11/30/dreamcast_game_spreads_virus/. 13 December 2015. live.
  3. Web site: 2015-06-25 . Batman: Arkham Knight is so broken that Warner Bros has stopped selling it . 2023-01-27 . The Independent . en.
  4. Web site: 2007-09-14 . 痴漢で逮捕の社員が開発──コクヨがDSソフトの発売見合わせ . 2024-04-29 . IT Media News . ja.
  5. Web site: Manskar. Noah. 18 December 2020. Sony pulls 'Cyberpunk 2077' from PlayStation store after widespread complaints. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111205716/https://nypost.com/2020/12/18/sony-pulls-cyberpunk-2077-from-playstation-store-after-complaints/. 11 January 2021. 11 November 2021. New York Post.
  6. The Lion King animated storybook: A case study of aesthetic and economic power. Critical Arts. 10. Ricker. Audrey. 1996. 41–59. 10.1080/02560049685310041.
  7. Book: Billboard. 69. disney activity center interactive studios.. 1995-02-18. Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
  8. Web site: 2022-10-30 . 8 Games That Were Recalled For Unusual Reasons . 2023-06-29 . Game Rant . en.
  9. Web site: 2023-06-09 . Fantasia . 2023-06-29 . Sega Retro . en.
  10. Web site: Maniac Tentacle Mindbenders: How ScummVM's unpaid coders kept adventure gaming alive . . January 16, 2012 . February 16, 2016 . Richard . Moss . 23 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160223212330/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/01/maniac-tentacle-mindbenders-of-atlantis-how-scummvm-kept-adventure-gaming-alive/ . live .
  11. Web site: Xbox News: Kakuto Chojin pulled in US and Japan - ComputerAndVideoGames.com . Stuart . Bishop . 2003-02-07 . 2008-10-22 . Future Publishing Limited . 21 October 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081021084222/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=86952 . live .
  12. Web site: Version Differences - ZeldaSpeedRuns.com. 2011-06-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20130126080900/http://zeldaspeedruns.com/oot/generalknowledge/version-differences. 26 January 2013. dead.
  13. Web site: Tri Synergy Pulls Limbo of the Lost - IGN. 12 June 2008. 26 June 2017. 5 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151105180520/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/12/tri-synergy-pulls-limbo-of-the-lost. live.
  14. Web site: Qu'ran references force worldwide LittleBigPlanet recall . Tom . Bramwell . 2008-10-17 . 2008-10-19 . Eurogamer . 31 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210731151344/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/quran-references-force-worldwide-littlebigplanet-recall . live .
  15. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/gadgets_and_gaming/article2090668.ece Nintendo withdraws game that taunts 'spastics' | Times Online
  16. Web site: Game-Breaking Metroid Other M Bug Acknowledged by Nintendo . 2010-09-27 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111014190629/http://www.1up.com/news/game-breaking-metroid-bug-acknowledged-nintendo . 14 October 2011.
  17. Web site: Ubisoft pulls MindQuiz for offensive language Joystiq . 28 February 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110713121720/http://gaming.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/ubisoft-pulls-mindquiz-for-offensive-language/ . 13 July 2011 . dead .
  18. Commodore User. Race Image Change. August 1988. 59. 7.
  19. ACE. The Ace Fido Awards. December 1988. 15. 121.
  20. http://neo-geo.com/snk/releases/ss0s/recall/recall.htm SSVS AES recall announcement
  21. Web site: Most real-life injuries for players of a beat-'em-up videogame . Guinness World Records.
  22. Web site: Tales of Graces Recalled in Japan - IGN . 20 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104200450/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/23/tales-of-graces-recalled-in-japan . 4 November 2012 . dead .
  23. Web site: Silicon Knights must recall, destroy X-Men Destiny and Too Human. 9 November 2012. 9 February 2014. 6 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140306111835/http://www.gamesradar.com/silicon-knights-must-recall-destroy-x-men-destiny-and-too-human/. live.
  24. Web site: Sheffield, Brandon . 22 December 2005 . Yuke's Recalls Wrestle Kingdom For Xbox 360 . Gamasutra.com . 2009-08-11 . 9 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171109134427/https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=7604 . live .
  25. Web site: WWF No Mercy Bug Riddled?. 21 November 2000. 11 July 2018. GameSpot. 12 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180712153631/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wwf-no-mercy-bug-riddled/1100-2656988/. live.
  26. Web site: WWF No Mercy Version 1.1. Ames. Kevin. Micro-64. 11 January 2015. 29 January 2019. 22 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190122183040/http://micro-64.com/features/wwfnomercy.shtml. live.