1) Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing – 2003
Historically one of the most boring games ever created, Big Rigs: Over The Road Racing somehow managed the double accolade of also being the most broken. In fact, it’s debatable as to whether or not Russian developer Stellar Stone even finished making it. The concept is definitely something I can get on board with, though. It’s pretty much Ice Road Truckers, if there was no ice. And the Ice Road Truckers had to have some badass race, for some reason. Who wouldn’t want to play that?
As it turns out, everyone. Because wow. If you were to make a list of every conceivable balls-up a racing game could have, then purposely put those things into a game, you’d pretty much have Over The Road Racing. You’d imagine, for example, that a pretty standard feature for a racing game (or indeed any game) would be some sound. Well go elsewhere for that, you decadent capitalist! Don’t expect to collide with objects either, you’ll just be drifting straight through them.
But what about some other basic physics, like slowing down when you drive uphill? No, sir. But surely slowing down when you drive up a completely vertical mountain? Forget it. How about if the other truck you’re lined up with at the start actually, you know, races you in this racing game? No, that’ll just remain stationary forever. It’s staggering. And to cap it all off? It seems Stellar Stone forgot to put a top speed cap on the reverse gear, so not only was your truck faster driving backwards, it could also shatter the laws of the universe by reaching 190 billion MPH.
The game still sold 20,000 copies though.
Tell us, what’s the most shambolic pile of code you’ve ever paid for? Should developers be held accountable? Let us know below!