Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • Games
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Hardware
  • Video
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Deals
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
View
Trending
  • Summer Game Fest
  • New games for 2025
  • Upcoming Switch 2 games
  • Switch 2 stock

Recommended reading

Screenshot from Dreamsettler's reveal trailer, showing a clay-like face on a black background with different cities existing in bulbs on the face's head.
Adventure Games "This is almost 5 years here of my life": Sequel to early internet sim Hypnospace Outlaw, one of the best adventure games of the decade, has been cancelled
Black Panther game logo
Action Games EA's canceled Black Panther game was "amazing and stunning," and its devs are "so sad" it'll never be released
Screenshot from Penny Blood, showing a third-person view of a black-dressed protagonist staring up at a red moon, darkened sky, and ominous chapel in the night. There's also a mini-map in the top-right corner.
JRPGs 3 years later, these JRPGs from genre veterans are stuck in purgatory despite raising nearly $2.6 million in a combined Kickstarter campaign
Upcoming PC games 2025 header imagine featuring InZoi / Split Fiction / Elden Ring: Nightreign / Dune: Awakening
PC Gaming Upcoming PC games: New PC games for 2025 and beyond
Toem 2 screenshot showing the photographer meeting a character with a photo request who holds up a little flag with a camera on it
Games From a Stardew Valley-like with a horrifying twist to an adventure from the artist behind Journey, these are the Day of the Devs SGF Edition 2025 games I need in my life
The Witcher 4
Games Wildcard Wishlist: These are the games we've pinned our hopes and dreams on turning up at Summer Game Fest 2025
Alzara Radiant Echoes
JRPGs After raising over $300,000, Kickstarter-funded JRPG love letter "is now on an indefinite pause" as studio closes down: "Know that we share your sorrow"
  1. Games

The Top 7... Cancelled games we wish we could play

Features
By Hollander Cooper published 30 April 2012

Because every game deserves a chance at success

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

And it's all your fault

And it's all your fault

These games end up becoming the stuff of legends the mysteries of the game industry. Weve gathered the ones we had the highest hopes for, and pour out a drink for the fallen games that will never see release.

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
7. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

7. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 cancellation

The shooter was a follow-up to the brilliant S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and while not too much was known about the sequel, we had every reason to believe it would drag us, kicking and screaming, into a radiation-filled, horrifying shooter experience unlike any other. The series bleak, post-apocalyptic landscapes made similar games look archaic in comparison, and the few images released for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 had us throwing wads of cash at our computer screen.

Why we think it was cancelled: We heard it had to do with getting the rights to the franchise or it just sucked.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
6. Jumpgate Evolution

6. Jumpgate Evolution

And then it got delayed. And then it got delayed again. And then there was a lawsuit, and then it got delayed, and then the developers said that the game was absolutely, totally not cancelled and then the company experienced huge layoffs, and now well, you know the rest. Theres a tiny, tiny chance the game is actually still in development, but we stopped holding our breaths a long time ago we need to save our energy for when we sob into a Lean Cuisine over how cool it looked, and how well never play it again.

Why we think it was cancelled: Most likely the lawsuit. Or the layoffs or it just sucked.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned

5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned

Why were upset about its cancellation: Early trailers, videos, and impressions of Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned pointed a compass towards the Pirates of the Caribbean game we all wanted: a Fable rip-off. Seriously, how awesome does that sound? Sailing the high-seas, cutting up rival pirates, stopping in port for some ale and to buy a house or impregnate a wench (alright, Disney might have cut that), it sounded too good to be true!

And it was. Our affair with this mysterious Armada of the Damned game was brief it felt like we only got to start getting excited when Disney announced it was changing directions, part of which meant stranding Armada of the Damned on an island in the ocean. We remember that night vividly, because we drank so heavily that we woke up stranded on a beach with Johnny Depp and a pile of empty rum bottles. The hangover wasnt pretty.

Why we think it was cancelled: Disneys new direction didnt include huge single-player epics or it just sucked.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
4. Project Offset

4. Project Offset

But apparently it didnt, and the game was not meant to be. Offset Software eventually broke off from Intel to form Fractiv, so were holding out hope that theres still something like the initial videos floating around somewhere, but were not going to get our hopes up.

Why we think it was cancelled: Because it was likely more a tech demo than a game or it just sucked.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
3. Mega Man Legends 3

3. Mega Man Legends 3

Since its untimely demise, over a hundred thousand people have signed a petition asking development to resume, but Capcom has been steadfast in its commitment to you never, ever playing it.

Why we think it was cancelled: Because of you. No joke about it sucking, no joke about 3DS sales it was 100% your fault. For shame.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
2. Star Wars: Battlefront 3

2. Star Wars: Battlefront 3

The most exciting-looking one was being developed by Free Radical, best known for the fantastic Time Splitters series (before fumbling horribly with Haze). Screens, concept art, and even videos showed an extremely ambitious game with an awesome, alternate-timeline plot that showed Obi Wan Kenobi falling to the dark side. Hell, were interested in this one for the story alone. Odds are well eventually get a new Battlefront, but were pretty sure it wont be this one.

Why we think it was cancelled: LucasArts fear of tarnishing the Star Wars name (HAHAHAHA) or every single attempt has sucked.

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
1. StarCraft: Ghost

1. StarCraft: Ghost

For years, we watched and waited with bated breath for this great concept to come to fruition. Screenshots showed off a cool-looking Metal Gear Solid-inspired third-person shooter with the ghosts, and we nearly lost ourselves in our excitement. Until it was, well actually, Blizzard has never officially cancelled StarCraft Ghost. In fact, Blizzard's co-founder Frank Pearce commented as recently as 2008 that the game was never officially cancelled, and that its simply not currently the companys focus. Right.

Why we think it was cancelled: Rumors have circulated that StarCraft Ghost never had a clear direction, and that because of it the gameplay never fully came together. We like to think that it was actually too good to release, and that Blizzard is just waiting for the perfect time to send the game out.

Or it sucked. Like, really, really sucked.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
What did we miss?

What did we miss?

Don't just sit there shouting at the screen, though - comment below and let us know what you think of this Top 7.

And if you're not sad enough, check out the The Top 7... Worst things you can do to a gamer and the The Top 7... Worst jobs in the games industry.

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
CATEGORIES
Android iPad iPhone PC Gaming Wii-u Nintendo PlayStation Xbox Platforms Mobile Gaming
Hollander Cooper
Hollander Cooper
Social Links Navigation

Hollander Cooper was the Lead Features Editor of GamesRadar+ between 2011 and 2014. After that lengthy stint managing GR's editorial calendar he moved behind the curtain and into the video game industry itself, working as social media manager for EA and as a communications lead at Riot Games. Hollander is currently stationed at Apple as an organic social lead for the App Store and Apple Arcade. 

See more Games Features
Read more
Screenshot from Dreamsettler's reveal trailer, showing a clay-like face on a black background with different cities existing in bulbs on the face's head.
"This is almost 5 years here of my life": Sequel to early internet sim Hypnospace Outlaw, one of the best adventure games of the decade, has been cancelled
Black Panther game logo
EA's canceled Black Panther game was "amazing and stunning," and its devs are "so sad" it'll never be released
Screenshot from Penny Blood, showing a third-person view of a black-dressed protagonist staring up at a red moon, darkened sky, and ominous chapel in the night. There's also a mini-map in the top-right corner.
3 years later, these JRPGs from genre veterans are stuck in purgatory despite raising nearly $2.6 million in a combined Kickstarter campaign
Upcoming PC games 2025 header imagine featuring InZoi / Split Fiction / Elden Ring: Nightreign / Dune: Awakening
Upcoming PC games: New PC games for 2025 and beyond
Toem 2 screenshot showing the photographer meeting a character with a photo request who holds up a little flag with a camera on it
From a Stardew Valley-like with a horrifying twist to an adventure from the artist behind Journey, these are the Day of the Devs SGF Edition 2025 games I need in my life
The Witcher 4
Wildcard Wishlist: These are the games we've pinned our hopes and dreams on turning up at Summer Game Fest 2025
Latest in Games
Mario Kart World screenshot featuring Birdo
"Games are amazingly affordable": Former PlayStation boss defends $80 prices because stuff like Mario Kart provides "hours and hours and hours with just one purchase"
FC 25
FC 25 Path To Glory tracker with all Women’s Euro 2025 cards
Monster Hunter Wilds characters share a meal
Capcom agrees Monster Hunter Wilds has an endgame problem, so it's adding "a new level of quest difficulty" and Talisman crafting to "broaden the range of builds"
Hytale
Stardew Valley's ConcernedApe reportedly says he could "possibly" step in to save cancelled Minecraft-like Hytale, but he'd need to know "why it failed" first
The Witcher 3
Cyberpunk 2 director says "mature games" used to mainly be about killing and sex, but The Witcher 3 was part of a "broader process" to change that as devs grew older
Dave the Diver Godzilla screenshot
Dave the Diver celebrates 2nd birthday by sharing messages from Baldur's Gate 3 actor Neil Newbon and the Subnautica studio CEO, bringing back Godzilla DLC, and dang, delaying its next DLC
Latest in Features
One-Punch Man season 3: Saitama punching while in mid-air during the anime One-Punch Man.
Anime Expo 2025: dates, announcements, and why One-Punch Man fans should be excited
The Shrouds
It may feature corpses, missing limbs, and AI, but with The Shrouds, legendary director David Cronenberg has made the ultimate meditation on grief: "To me, there is no afterlife"
A full setup for Fate of the Fellowship with cards, tokens, and pieces all laid out
Legendary board game designer says his upcoming Lord of the Rings project is "definitely the most thematically and mechanically rich game I’ve worked on"
Promotional artwork for the Steam Summer Sale 2025 which runs from June 26th - July 10th at 10am PT
I've spent six hours exploring the Steam Summer Sale with our Games Editor, and these are the 10 best games on discount I'd recommend so far
The Outer Worlds 2 screenshot of Aza, a cultist companion with short pink hair who holds a dagger
The Outer Worlds 2 is "going deeper and more complex" with its companions, and I'm already making grabby hands at this RPG
Ruffy runs across the ocean on wooden crates in Ruffy and the Riverside, with the GamesRadar+ Indie Spotlight logo
Banjo-Kazooie and Paper Mario mix together in this delightful puzzle platformer that has me swapping textures to solve puzzles by changing the world
  1. Sam fires at the ghost mech squid boss in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
    1
    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse"
  2. 2
    Rematch review: "As with Rocket League, the just-one-more-game pull is magnetic"
  3. 3
    Tron: Catalyst review: "Disc slinging is a thrill in this gorgeous rendition of the series, but I'm let down by a time-loop story that falls flat"
  4. 4
    FBC: Firebreak review: "A disappointingly bland multiplayer FPS that's missing far too much of what made Control special"
  5. 5
    Dune: Awakening review: "Both extremely compelling and extraordinarily boring, sometimes at the same time – yet still a true Dune love letter"
  1. M3GAN doll in M3GAN 2.0
    1
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  2. 2
    28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
  3. 3
    Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation"
  4. 4
    From the World of John Wick: Ballerina review: "Brilliant action, even if the plot gives you a sense of déjà vu"
  5. 5
    Karate Kid: Legends review: "Better than Karate Kid (2010), nothing on Karate Kid (1984)"
  1. Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun in Squid Game season 3
    1
    Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever"
  2. 2
    Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era"
  3. 3
    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...