History TheProblemWithLicensedGames / WesternAnimation

* The 2012 ''VideoGame/MyLittlePony'' game is a {{freemium}} game made for smartphones. The problem with this game? [[http://www.cnet.com.au/gameloft-my-little-pony-and-rampant-greed-339342493.htm You have to pay to win it legitimately.]] - and there's a ''lot''. It's not otherwise a terrible game and it does have its fans, plus it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be in its regard, but it still requires ridiculous amounts of grinding to complete without paying.
** Made worse by Creator/{{Hasbro}} C&D'ing the excellent fangame ''VideoGame/MyLittlePonyFightingIsMagic'' around that time. Some fans speculate that the reason is, it was making the official game look bad in comparison!

** ''[[VideoGame/SpongeBobSquarePantsOperationKrabbyPatty Operation Krabby Patty]]'' released only for PC is a MinigameGame that served as the template for future ''[=SpongeBob=]'' PC ports such as ''[[VideoGame/{{SpongeBob SquarePants Battle for Bikini Bottom}} Battle for Bikini Bottom]]'' and ''Nighty Nightmare''. It's a piss-easy minigame collection with two story routes (though the only difference between them are the cutscenes and the minigame order) that put together can be beaten in roughly an hour. The cutscenes feel oddly not like ''[=SpongeBob=]'' despite the game recycling jokes from the show ad verbatim (with many of the original jokes making little sense) and the back of the box advertising the game as an interactive ''[=SpongeBob=]'' episode, though it probably doesn't help that the CG cutscenes look [[UncannyValley hideous]] (and they recycled this art style for the PC version of ''Battle for Bikini Bottom'').

** While the first three games in the ''VideoGame/NicktoonsUnite'' series were largely surprisingly decent affairs and serious {{Cult Classic}}s as mentioned above, there's no such love for the final installment ''Globs of Doom'', which seemed to lack the actual effort that was put into the previous games in terms of the gameplay (generic, monotonous, and [[ItsEasySoItSucks too easy]]), graphics (the characters look OffModel at best and [[UncannyValley outright hideous]] at worst), and story (the Nicktoon characters besides [=SpongeBob=] are [[DemotedToExtra pretty much an afterthought]] and the mainstay ''Fairly [=OddParents=]!'' characters like Timmy Turner are [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome inexplicably missing]]). On top of that, the game was [[GameBreakingBug far more bug-ridden than any of the previous games]], including one severe save-corrupting bug. The developers dropped the ball so badly that [[FranchiseKiller it outright killed]] the ''Nicktoons Unite'' series and no Nickelodeon crossover games on dedicated video game consoles have been platforming adventures since.

** ''Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal'' had the makings of a decent ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' clone, but its gameplay is very dull and simplistic, the franchise's humor just isn't there despite the characters recycling several of their classic lines, the visuals aren't anything to write home about, the music ranges from mediocre to nonexistent save for a pleasant remix of Raymond Scott's "Powerhouse" (the memorable tune that usually played during the assembly line scenes in the old shorts) that plays during the penultimate level, and though it has 7 playable characters, they don't have any unique abilities or statistics to make them stand out from each other. Probably the worst aspect is the ExcusePlot used to justify the characters traveling through time, clearly an attempt to ape the two much better ''Looney Tunes'' games ''VideoGame/BugsBunnyLostInTime'' and ''VideoGame/BugsBunnyAndTazTimeBusters'', and ultimately ends with an [[AntiClimax Anti-Climactic]] FinalBoss that is supposed to be a several story-tall HumongousMecha but inexplicably shrinks down and becomes a copy of a minor enemy from earlier, followed by the BigBad being given a last-minute FreudianExcuse (the other toons made fun of the shape of his head [[EveryoneWentToSchoolTogether in school]]) and turning over a new leaf after being given an apology.

*** ''[=SpongeBob's=] Surf & Skate Roadtrip'' (this time loosely based on ''[=SpongeBob's=] Runaway Roadtrip'', an anthology series of vacation-themed episodes) which is regarded as yet another barely functional UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} Kinect shovelware title along the lines of ''VideoGame/SonicFreeRiders'' (even having the same style of slideshow cutscenes) and (though not a Kinect title) ''Tony Hawk: Ride'' and was the final [=SpongeBob=] game published by the original incarnation of THQ. The [[UsefulNotes/NintendoDS DS]] version isn't much better, somehow running at a choppy framerate despite the game using [=2D=] sprites.

** ''Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal'' could've been a decent ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' clone if it wasn't marred by bland visuals, music that ranges from mediocre to nonexistent, save for a pleasant remix of Raymond Scott's "Powerhouse" (the memorable tune that usually played during the assembly line scenes in the old shorts) that plays during the penultimate level, characters that are all functionally identical, poorly-designed enemies including a very [[AntiClimax Anti-Climactic]] and somewhat buggy FinalBoss, and an ExcusePlot with a less than satisfying ending.

** WesternAnimation/BugsBunny had two disappointing UsefulNotes/{{NES}} games, ''VideoGame/TheBugsBunnyBirthdayBlowout'', which in spite of good graphics was frustratingly difficult and generic, and ''VideoGame/TheBugsBunnyCrazyCastle'', which was a shallow platformer focused on puzzle-solving that lacked a jump button (says something about how pared down the gameplay was in that all its sequels were portable games!).

* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'':

* ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'' received many tie-in games, and while most of the games made by Creator/{{Konami}} [[SugarWiki/NoProblemWithLicensedGames were well-received and captured the spirit of the show well]], the vast majority of the games released for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation were average at best and hot garbage at worst:

* ''WesternAnimation/TheDisneyAfternoon'' inspired [[VideoGame/DuckTales a]] [[VideoGame/ChipNDaleRescueRangers few]] [[VideoGame/GoofTroop classics]], but ''WesternAnimation/TaleSpin'' resulted only in mediocre at best games. [[VideoGame/TaleSpinCapcom The NES game]] by {{Creator/Capcom}} is regarded to be an okayish side-scrolling shooter that's probably Capcom's weakest Creator/{{Disney}} tie-in — albeit still the best game based on this show. [[VideoGame/TaleSpinSega The Sega Genesis game]] is a generic platformer with murky, unappealing graphics, and boring level design. The UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 game is seen as the bottom of the barrel, however, as despite having better graphics than the [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis]] game, it's brought down by atrocious controls, severely faulty collision detection, and all-around uninspired gameplay (faults it shares with the even more notorious ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck'' [[VideoGame/DarkwingDuckInteractiveDesigns tie-in game]] on the same system, which was developed by the same company).

* While [[Creator/{{Taito}} Taito's]] games based on ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones'' for the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]], [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]], UsefulNotes/GameBoy, and UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis belong on [[SugarWiki/NoProblemWithLicensedGames the other list]], the modern Stone Age family has had a few games that aren't necessarily winners:

* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyDog'' wasn't a particularly memorable prime-time animated series back in 1993, so one must wonder why the show got a video game adaptation for the [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]]. In the game, you play as the Binsford family's dog, dodging such enemies as spinning tops, flying books, angry cats, angry guard dogs, bees, snakes, and spiders. Your basic method of attacking them is with a bark that you can run out of. The game is also short, having only three worlds; The Binsford Family House, [[TheAlcatraz The Dog Pound]], and [[TheLostWoods The Haunted Forest]], and can be beaten in under fifteen minutes with precise movements, ending with [[AWinnerIsYou the dog landing in Billy's arms as he and the rest of the Binsford family stand in front of their house]].
* The 2007 version of ''WesternAnimation/{{George of the Jungle|2007}}'', of all things, got a licensed game, ''The Search for the Secret'', on Wii, [=PS2=], and DS, with bland gameplay, unresponsive controls, and a low framerate. The Wii version in particular had [[{{Waggle}} bad motion controls]] that you needed to play the game.
* Creator/CosgroveHall's ''WesternAnimation/CountDuckula'' series had two games for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC by Alternative Software, neither of which were good and were terrible instead. Alternative also made a version for the Commodore 64, but with bland graphics, annoying and repetitive music, a ten-minute TimedMission that translates to ItsShortSoItSucks[[note]]it's made worse that you lose time for each enemy you run into and you can only regain 30 seconds by encountering Igor[[/note]], and [[AWinnerIsYou a lame reward]], it fared no better.

* ''Franchise/Ben10'' has had several video games based on it released to home consoles, and all of them tend to be regarded as SoOkayItsAverage at ''best''. Additionally, one of them is a blatant ''VideoGame/MarioKart'' rip-off, and the very first one was exclusive to the widely-hated UsefulNotes/HyperScan console.

* The ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' game, called simply ''VideoGame/TeenTitans'', is a lame excuse for a game that consists of an extremely generic plot, lazy, glitch-filled graphics and an extremely disappointing ending. Pretty much every major villain from the series is randomly running rampant and the Teen Titans have to go stop them. You can choose the difficulty level, but there's no noticeable difference between them besides the ''too'' good Pong level, and there are two levels that are dang near impossible anyway! It's not the ''worst'' licensed game ever, but it sure has its problems.

*** The PC version, also known as ''Nighty Nightmare'', is considered even worse than the aforementioned port of ''Battle for Bikini Bottom'', and with very good reason. While the PC port of ''Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was a letdown, this was the turning point for fans of the ''[=SpongeBob=]'' PC games and wound up being the last physical ''[=SpongeBob=]'' video game to be released on PC until ''Battle For Bikini Bottom Rehydrated''. The problems with this port include a watered-down plot that takes away all the charm and heart of the console and even GBA version, horrible graphics, cheaply done cutscenes that usually consist of shoddy 3D models or still images, an extremely short length, and generic gameplay with little variety (and what variety there is is usually boring or outright unpleasant).
** ''[[VideoGame/SpongeBobSquarePantsPlanktonsRoboticRevenge Plankton's Robotic Revenge]]'' was one of two [=SpongeBob=] games released under Creator/{{Activision}} when {{Creator/THQ}} went bankrupt in 2013. It could have been a good sequel to ''Battle for Bikini Bottom'', but its flaws - simplistic gameplay and combat, limited enemy roster, and an uninspired story - are far too noticeable for even the most hardened fans of the show to squeeze out any enjoyment from the game. This and ''[=SpongeBob HeroPants=]'' (which suffered the same problems and was made by the same developer, see Film -- Animation for more details) served as a FranchiseKiller for the [=SpongeBob=] video game line until 2020's ''Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated''.

*** The PC version, also known as ''Nighty Nightmare'', is considered even worse than the port of ''VideoGame/SpongeBobSquarePantsBattleForBikiniBottom'', and with very good reason. While the PC port of ''Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was a letdown, this was the turning point for fans of the ''[=SpongeBob=]'' PC games and wound up being the last physical ''[=SpongeBob=]'' video game to be released on PC until ''Battle For Bikini Bottom Rehydrated''. The problems with this port include a watered-down plot that takes away all the charm and heart of the console and even GBA version, horrible graphics, cheaply done cutscenes that usually consist of shoddy 3D models or still images, an extremely short length, and generic gameplay with little variety (and what variety there is is usually boring or outright unpleasant).

** The ''VideoGame/SouthPark'' [[FirstPersonShooter FPS]] has been accurately described as "the Mr. Hankey of FPS games: A turd of a game who comes to people who don't read [[ReviewsAreTheGospel game reviews]]". It got 8% from PC Gamer magazine in the [[UsefulNotes/UnitedKingdon UK]] and a 30/100 from a Finnish games magazine which also sourced the previous quote. The PC and UsefulNotes/PlayStation versions of the ''South Park'' FPS were horribly buggy and had performance issues, which is part of the reason why they were reviewed so badly by most. The [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 N64]] version was generally rated much better, although that's not saying much (Game Stats gives it an average of 5.9/10 from the major sites). At the very least, it had the good fortune of being built on the ''VideoGame/{{Turok}}'' engine, so most of the bugs had been ironed out beforehand.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheDisneyAfternoon'' inspired [[VideoGame/DuckTales a]] [[VideoGame/ChipNDaleRescueRangers few]] [[VideoGame/GoofTroop classics]], but ''WesternAnimation/TaleSpin'' resulted only in mediocre at best games. [[VideoGame/TaleSpinCapcom The NES game ]] by {{Creator/Capcom}} is regarded to be an okayish side-scrolling shooter that's probably Capcom's weakest Creator/{{Disney}} tie-in — albeit still the best game based on this show. [[VideoGame/TaleSpinSega The Sega Genesis game]] is a generic platformer with murky, unappealing graphics, and boring level design. The UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 game is seen as the bottom of the barrel, however, as despite having better graphics than the [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis]] game, it's brought down by atrocious controls, severely faulty collision detection, and all-around uninspired gameplay (faults it shares with the even more notorious ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck'' [[VideoGame/DarkwingDuckInteractiveDesigns tie-in game]] on the same system, which was developed by the same company).
* The ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'' game for the UsefulNotes/{{PS2}} and UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} (the DS version was [[SugarWiki/NoProblemWithLicensedGames surprisingly decent]]). It suffers from boring and repetitious gameplay, mucky graphics, extremely short length, you cannot die at all, and Dojo doesn't even have [[TheOtherDarrin his original voice actor]]. As one reviewer said, you can beat a level just by standing in a corner and letting the AI players eliminate all the enemies for you. The only redeeming thing about the game was the Showdown mini-games, but even ''those'' were boring and lacking. This is pretty messed up considering the fact that Creator/{{Konami}}'s [[VideoGame/TinyToonAdventures Warner]] [[VideoGame/TinyToonAdventuresBabsBigBreak Bros.]] [[VideoGame/TinyToonAdventuresBusterBustsLoose adaptations]] [[VideoGame/TinyToonAdventuresBustersHiddenTreasure from]] [[VideoGame/{{Animaniacs}} the]] [[VideoGame/TheAdventuresOfBatmanAndRobin 90's]] were generally well-received.

*** ''[[Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS5E12AtlantisSquarePants Atlantis [=SquarePantis=]]]'', a mediocre [[MinigameGame minigame collection]] that follows the plot of the TV special of the same name.

*** ''[=SpongeBob's=] Surf & Skate Roadtrip'' (this time loosely based on ''[=SpongeBob's=] Runaway Roadtrip'', an anthology series of vacation-themed episodes) which is regarded as yet another barely functional UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} Kinect {{Shovelware}} title along the lines of ''VideoGame/SonicFreeRiders'' (even having the same style of slideshow cutscenes) and (though not a Kinect title) ''Tony Hawk: Ride'' and was the final [=SpongeBob=] game published by the original incarnation of THQ. The [[UsefulNotes/NintendoDS DS]] version isn't much better, somehow running at a choppy framerate despite the game using [=2D=] sprites.

** Also not very good is ''Arthur: Ready to Race!'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation. The game is supposed to be namely a downhill racer, but the races are mediocre at best since they are very easy and are only played by one player, and can't be lost unless the player truly tries. Most of the rest of the game is running around Elwood City to finish small jobs for other people, simply so Arthur can raise the money to buy the parts to build a better cart. This is all in the form of redundant mini games that are also impossible to lose. The player can also visit familiar locales such as the Sugar Bowl, which are home only to flat mannequin characters standing behind a counter. Build the new car, race it, repeat once more, and the game is over in almost an hour. That is if anyone can stand playing it for that long when the characters have voices that are low-quality and not by the same voice actors as the series and none of the same personalities are there. There is also a multiplayer mode for up to four players if they really want to take turns playing just the racing levels.

* ''VideoGame/TheAdventuresOfRockyAndBullwinkleAndFriends'' for the UsefulNotes/{{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES was a video game based on a 1960s cartoon. It was released on other systems, but the most infamous one was the NES version, released in December 1992 by Creator/{{THQ}} and Creator/RadicalEntertainment. It features FakeDifficulty in DemonicSpiders, very stiff and unresponsive controls, no MercyInvincibility, subpar graphics for a late NES game, and the droning and annoying music in the background that loops every 20 seconds or so. You get a [[AWinnerIsYou YOU WIN!!]] screen as your reward for beating this wretched game.

** The UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis ''Beavis and Butt-Head'' game has shades of this. On one hand, the game's visuals and humor are perfectly in line with the show's, it's filled with many references to episodes, and it manages to avoid the most GuideDangIt aspects of many adventure games. On the other hand, it's a [[NintendoHard relentlessly difficult game]], due to EverythingTryingToKillYou, hardly effective ways of attacking[[note]]To elaborate: Butt-Head's standard attack is by [[{{Fartillery}} farting]], but he needs to be turned ''away'' from the enemies to hit them; plus the boys' rate of fire, either with their [[{{Gasshole}} body gas]] or with the plunger gun, is much slower than the enemies, which allows them to get more shots at you than you at them (Todd's oil spray at the front door of Burger World is an excellent example)[[/note]], an immediate Game Over [[WeCannotGoOnWithoutYou if either Beavis or Butt-Head's health runs out]], and the difficulty of actually regaining health. While the game has a password system, the passwords do not save your collected inventory...but ''do'' save your remaining health, which can even result in an UnintentionallyUnwinnable situation if you don't have enough health just to ''get more health''.
** There was a ''Beavis and Butt-Head'' game released for the Game Gear that followed the plot of the SNES game, in which the pair are trying to earn enough money to buy tickets for the upcoming Gwar concert. The game feels awkward and slow thanks to the stiff-feeling controls, as and due to the small size of the Game Gear's screen, you will get hit by offscreen enemies or fall into holes. The only good thing this game has is its cutscenes filled with an impressive amount of digitized speech.
** The trilogy of PC games released by GT Interactive:
*** ''Wiener Takes All'', released as a budget title, was essentially a clone of ''You Don't Know Jack!'' with question that don't make sense in context (think ''South Park: Chef's Luv Shack'' but with low production values).

* ''WesternAnimation/EekTheCat'' for UsefulNotes/{{S|uperNintendoEntertainmentSystem}}NES is a miserable platformer. Instead of simply moving Eek! through the various levels, Eek! has to safely guide an NPC to the exit by kicking or pushing him or her out of harm's way. This is frustrating, as the NPC constantly walks forward. Combined with miserable controls, the game is jam-packed with FakeDifficulty. Additionally, the Eek! game features some of the [[http://www.emuparadise.org/Super%20Nintendo/Snaps/Eek!%20The%20Cat%20%28U%29.png darkest, dingiest graphics]] on the platform, and possibly ever. To add insult to injury, it's a mere DolledUpInstallment of an Amiga game called ''Sleepwalker'', with only one original level up its sleeve. But hey, what else do you expect from the developers of ''Cheesy'' ([[WebVideo/{{Caddicarus}} yes,]] ''[[WebVideo/{{Caddicarus}} that]]'' [[WebVideo/{{Caddicarus}} Cheesy]])?

** ''VideoGame/TheSimpsonsBartsNightmare'' and ''VideoGame/TheSimpsonsVirtualBart'', both developed by Sculptured Software, boast decent graphics and sound, and some creative level concepts. Unfortunately, they're brought down by overly finicky controls, and difficulty that ranges from somewhat unfair to absurdly NintendoHard -- and that's without taking into account a couple of levels which fall into outright LuckBasedMission territory due to poor design. And the kicker? Even with all these flaws, they're ''still'' near-unanimously considered the best ''Simpsons'' console games prior to the [=PS2=] era.

** This trope is parodied in universe when Milhouse decides to play an arcade adaptation of ''Film/WaterWorld''. Depositing ''ten dollars'' in quarters, he notes "This had better be worth it." He simply moves the joystick to the right, making the Mariner take one step across the screen, at which point the game announces "GameOver, please deposit [[CrackIsCheaper forty quarters]]."

** The ''South Park'' [[FirstPersonShooter FPS]] has been accurately described as "the Mr. Hankey of FPS games: A turd of a game who comes to people who don't read [[ReviewsAreTheGospel game reviews]]". It got 8% from PC Gamer magazine in the UK and a 30/100 from a Finnish games magazine which also sourced the previous quote. The PC and [=PlayStation=] versions of the ''South Park'' FPS were horribly buggy and had performance issues, which is part of the reason why they were reviewed so badly by most. The [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 N64]] version was generally rated much better, although that's not saying much (Game Stats gives it an average of 5.9/10 from the major sites). At the very least, it had the good fortune of being built on the ''VideoGame/{{Turok}}'' engine, so most of the bugs had been ironed out beforehand.

* A borderline case with ''VideoGame/{{Futurama}}: The Game'', which while not a terrible game, is an uninspired ThirdPersonShooter, merely SoOkayItsAverage by most fans' standards. The graphics do look rather nice and the character designs translate well into 3D, and its main saving grace is its hilarious story, which was penned by the actual writers and performed by the voice actors of the show. Not only does it manage to lampshade a few aspects of the show, but it makes fun of a few video game clichés as well. Luckily, all of the cutscenes (and some filmed gameplay) were strung together and released as an unofficial episode, which is available as a special feature on the second [[TheMovie film]] release, ''The Beast With a Billion Backs''.

** ''Legend of the Lost Spatula'', published by Creator/{{THQ}} in 2001, is sort of an odd case; the graphics are decent for a UsefulNotes/GameBoyColor game, the music is [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic really nice]], and there are plenty of {{Continuity Nod}}s throughout. It has the potential to be a good game, but is almost completely wrecked by unintuitive jump physics and [[CameraScrew a bizarre camera system that makes it impossible to see what's immediately above or beneath you]], and even then there are only four unique enemy behavior patterns (discounting bosses).
** ''Operation: Krabby Patty'' released only for PC is a MinigameGame that served as the template for future [=SpongeBob=] PC ports such as ''Battle for Bikini Bottom'' and ''Nighty Nightmare''. It's a piss-easy minigame collection with two story routes (though the only difference between them are the cutscenes and the minigame order) that put together can be beaten in roughly an hour. The cutscenes feel oddly not like [=SpongeBob=] despite the game recycling jokes from the show ad verbatim (with many of the original jokes making little sense) and the back of the box advertising the game as an interactive ''[=SpongeBob=]'' episode, though it probably doesn't help that the CG cutscenes look [[UncannyValley hideous]] (and they recycled this art style for the PC version of ''Battle for Bikini Bottom'').
** ''[=SuperSponge=]'' on the original [=PlayStation=] and GBA. The spritework isn't that bad but it also looks very underwhelming in the PSX version. The controls are also slippery, making platforming a pain, and the admittedly catchy music is often drowned out by the obnoxious sound effects.
** The [=PS2=] version of ''[[VideoGame/SpongeBobSquarePantsRevengeOfTheFlyingDutchman Revenge of the Flying Dutchman]]'' had a serious GameBreakingBug that would freeze the game when attempting to load a new area, thus making it impossible to play. Fortunately, this was fixed in the [=GameCube=] release. Unfortunately, the game is still bogged down with poor graphics, boring gameplay, a disappointing ending, and one song that plays throughout the entire game until you switch costumes, a far cry from what the video game series would [[VideoGame/SpongeBobSquarePantsBattleForBikiniBottom later]] [[VideoGame/TheSpongeBobMovieGame put]] [[VideoGame/SpongeBobSquarePantsCreatureFromTheKrustyKrab out.]] The game would serve as a CreatorKiller for developers [=BigSky=] Interactive, who've only developed this and the previously mentioned ''WesternAnimation/JimmyNeutronBoyGenius'' video game.

** ''[[VideoGame/SpongeBobSquarePantsPlanktonsRoboticRevenge Plankton's Robotic Revenge]]'' was one of two [=SpongeBob=] games released under Creator/{{Activision}} when THQ went bankrupt in 2013. It could have been a good sequel to ''Battle for Bikini Bottom'', but its flaws - simplistic gameplay and combat, limited enemy roster, and an uninspired story - are far too noticeable for even the most hardened fans of the show to squeeze out any enjoyment from the game. This and ''[=SpongeBob HeroPants=]'' (which suffered the same problems and was made by the same developer, see Film -- Animation for more details) served as a FranchiseKiller for the [=SpongeBob=] video game line until 2020's ''Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated''.
** The 7th generation in particular saw a [[JustForPun tidal wave]] [[AudienceAlienatingEra of forgettable SpongeBob tie-in games]] (the exception being ''Boating Bash'', which is a pretty decent demolition derby/''Mario Kart''-type game) that no doubt contributed to the temporary demise of [=SpongeBob=]'s video game career, were mostly based on specials, and coincided with [[SeasonalRot the show going through its own slump in quality]]. In addition to the aforementioned Activision-era games, offenders included:

*** ''Atlantis [=SquarePantis=]'', a mediocre minigames collection that follows the plot of the TV special of the same name.
*** ''Truth or Square'', loosely based the series's 10th anniversary special and a ContestedSequel to ''Battle for Bikini Bottom'' for its bland and predictable level design despite being made by the same studio (though it's at least regarded as better than the special it's based on).

*** ''[=SpongeBob's=] Surf & Skate Roadtrip'' (this time loosely based on ''[=SpongeBob's=] Runaway Roadtrip'', an anthology series of vacation-themed episodes) which is regarded as yet another barely functional Xbox Kinect shovelware title along the lines of ''Sonic Free Riders'' (even having the same style of slideshow cutscenes) and (though not a Kinect title) ''Tony Hawk: Ride'' and was the final [=SpongeBob=] game published by the original incarnation of THQ. The DS version isn't much better, somehow running at a choppy framerate despite the game using [=2D=] sprites.

** Bugs Bunny had two disappointing NES games, ''VideoGame/TheBugsBunnyBirthdayBlowout'', which in spite of good graphics was frustratingly difficult and generic, and ''VideoGame/TheBugsBunnyCrazyCastle'', which was a shallow platformer focused on puzzle-solving that lacked a jump button (says something about how pared down the gameplay was in that all its sequels were portable games!).

* VideoGame/FeriasFrustradasDoPicaPau (translates into ''WesternAnimation/WoodyWoodpecker's Frustrated Vacation''), released by Tec Toy in Brazil in 1995, is an atrocious game for the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis and UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem, both for its sloppy design and for being extremely hard [[FakeDifficulty for all the wrong reasons]]. The levels are poorly designed (sometimes blatantly [[CutAndPasteEnvironments copy and pasted]]) and absolutely relentless in enemy placement, but the real issue is the very stiff controls combined with some of the [[HitBoxDissonance worst hit detection you'll ever find in a game]]--nine times out of ten, you'll get hurt by the enemies and boss fights more than you can dish it out on them with your nearly useless, short range peck attack. The graphics are abysmal and look like they were drawn in MS Paint, and the sound work is lazy and annoying (for example, the sound of Woody Woodpecker's laugh plays ''every'' time he grabs ''any'' item). Oh, and the Hard Mode makes the experience even more miserable, since Woody has no MercyInvincibility in it.

* The WesternAnimation/TheDisneyAfternoon inspired [[Videogame/DuckTales a]] [[Videogame/ChipNDaleRescueRangers few]] [[VideoGame/GoofTroop classics]], but ''Westernanimation/TaleSpin'' resulted only in mediocre at best games. The NES game by Capcom is regarded to be an okayish side-scrolling shooter that's probably Capcom's weakest Disney tie-in — albeit still the best game based on this show. The Sega Genesis game is a generic platformer with murky, unappealing graphics, and boring level design. The TurboGrafx-16 game is seen as the bottom of the barrel, however, as despite having better graphics than the Genesis game, it's brought down by atrocious controls, severely faulty collision detection, and all-around uninspired gameplay (faults it shares with the even more notorious ''Westernanimation/DarkwingDuck'' tie-in game on the same system, which was developed by the same company).

* The ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' game, called simply ''VideoGame/TeenTitans'', is a lame excuse for a game that consists of an extremely generic plot, lazy, glitch-filled graphics and an extremely disappointing ending. Pretty much every major villain from the series is randomly running rampant and the Teen Titans have to go stop them. You can choose the difficulty level, but there's no noticeable difference between them besides the ''too'' good Pong level, and there are these two levels that are dang near impossible anyway! It's not the ''worst'' licensed game ever, but it sure has its problems.

** The 7th generation in particular saw a [[JustForPun tidal wave]] [[AudienceAlienatingEra of forgettable SpongeBob tie-in games]] (the exception being ''Boating Bash'', which is a pretty decent demolition derby/''Mario Kart''-type game) that no doubt contributed to the temporary demise of [=SpongeBob=]'s video game career, were mostly based on specials, and coincided with a [[SeasonalRot decrease in quality of the show]]. In addition to the aforementioned Activision-era games, offenders included:

** [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-zagged]] with ''VideoGame/NickelodeonAllStarBrawl'', an attempt to create their very own ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros''. On one hand, it was developed by Ludosity, who had already proven themselves with the decent ''VideoGame/SlapCity'', its roster featured several Nicktoons that hadn't been seen in years such as ''WesternAnimation/AaahhRealMonsters'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheWildThornberrys'', and upon release the gameplay itself was widely regarded to be decent if not outright great, with a lot of clear care put into it. However, the game launched with an astounding lack of content: voice acting (once again), items and even alternate colors and costumes were missing from the initial release, recognizable characters such as [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius Jimmy Neutron]], [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Timmy Turner]], [[WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot Jenny Wakeman]] and perhaps most glaringly [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 Donatello and Raphael]] [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter were excluded]], and both the graphics and the sound effects gave away that it was [[NoBudget made on a dime]] - especially considering its $50 price tag at launch. Not helping matters were the reports of issues with its online multiplayer and competitive balance: which had been hyped up as the dominant features of the game. Regardless of promises to address the most glaring issues, within mere days Twitch views dwindled to single digits, and many ''Smash'' content creators dropped it as quickly as they picked it up. In spite of this, the fanbase holds out hope that the game will one day be able to be called a true aversion to this trope once the patches, improvements, and fixes promised by the game's developers are implemented.

* While most of the games based on ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius'' and the movie it was based on were very hit-or-miss, the GBA version of ''VideoGame/JimmyNeutronVsJimmyNegatron'' stands out as one of Jimmy's worst outings. You can't fault its developers for trying, as the game represents an attempt to give the Game Boy Advance a genuine 3D platformer. Unfortunately, the ambitious gameplay ended up being far too much for the GBA's technology to handle, resulting in a slow-paced and rather ugly-looking game with graphics that resemble the 3D Maze screensaver from Windows 95 more than it does ''Jimmy Neutron''. Putting that aside, the gameplay also has multiple strange design choices as well, such as being extremely stingy with health and ammo pick-ups in a game where [[NintendoHard you are going to NEED every single one]]. Also notable is how taking any sort of damage automatically sends Jimmy or Goddard backwards in the level, without MercyInvincibility or making concessions for any hazards that might be around where Jimmy or Goddard are respawning, potentially getting your character sent more than halfway back through the level due to getting caught in a CycleOfHurting. Add a nonsensical ExcusePlot that only tangentially relates to that of the game's PC counterpart and extremely stilted dialogue on top of that and you get a game that ends up feeling less like a Brain Blast and more like a Brain Fart.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Popeye}}'' received a modern-day video game adaptation of Nintendo's original 1982 arcade game, and a very horrible one at that. The game was developed by Sabec, who were infamous for developing Switch apps including ''Calculator'' and '''Piano'' and selling them for supercharged prices [[note]]Since those both constitute as apps rather than games, it would only make sense to charge a small fee for them if you don't offer them as free downloads.[[/note]]. The game loosely has the gameplay of the arcade version with Popeye having to run around stages to collect hearts that were left behind by Olive Oyl. Collecting them all makes the can of spinach appear which Popeye can collect before tracking down Bluto and sending him flying, ending the stage. Do that for just ''three stages'' and you've beaten the game! That is if you can stand to play the game as far as to beat the first stage since the game has very slippery controls and even a few glitches[[note]]The worst one being a glitch that instandtly KOs you if you so much as suspend the game[[/note]]. It also features the most boring level designs possible with all three stages being a generic "beach hut town".

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Popeye}}'' received a modern-day video game adaptation of Nintendo's original 1982 arcade game, and a very horrible one at that. The game was developed by Sabec, who were infamous for developing Switch apps including ''Calculator'' and '''Piano'' and selling them for supercharged prices [[note]]Since those both constitute as apps rather than games, it would only make sense to charge a small fee for them if you don't offer them as free downloads.[[/note]]. The game loosely has the gameplay of the arcade version with Popeye having to run around stages to collect hearts that were left behind by Olive Oyl. Collecting them all makes the can of spinach appear which Popeye can collect before tracking down Bluto and sending him flying, ending the stage. Do that for just ''three stages'' and you've beaten the game! That is if you can stand to play the game as far as to beat the first stage since the game has very slippery controls. It also features the most boring level designs possible with all three stages being a generic "beach hut town".

** The 7th generation in particular saw a [[JustForPun tidal wave]] [[AudienceAlienatingEra of forgettable SpongeBob tie-in games]] (the exception being ''Boating Bash'', which is a pretty decent demolision derby/''Mario Kart''-type game) that no doubt contributed to the temporary demise of [=SpongeBob=]'s video game career, were mostly based on specials, and coincided with a [[SeasonalRot decrease in quality of the show]]. In addition to the aforementioned Activision-era games, offenders included:

** The 7th generation in particular saw a [[JustForPun tidal wave]] [[DorkAge of forgettable SpongeBob tie-in games]] (the exception being ''Boating Bash'', which is a pretty decent demolision derby/''Mario Kart''-type game) that no doubt contributed to the temporary demise of [=SpongeBob=]'s video game career, were mostly based on specials, and coincided with a [[SeasonalRot decrease in quality of the show]]. In addition to the aforementioned Activision-era games, offenders included:

** ''VideoGame/TheSimpsonsBartmanMeetsRadioactiveMan'' for the UsefulNotes/{{NES}} was filled with abysmal collision detection and barely-functional fighting controls. Bartman's punches were horribly slow and did next to nothing, even if he hit an enemy. Levels were long and insufferably boring with no variety in them whatsoever. The only thing people are willing to defend about the game is the music.

** The original ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' game on the UsefulNotes/{{NES}} was considered by most an uber-example of NintendoHard, while the follow-up arcade games (especially the first one) and their console adaptations are considered classics of the BeatEmUp genre. Later adaptations of the various 2000 series' are a mixed bag at best.

** ''VideoGame/BartSimpsonsEscapeFromCampDeadly'' is similar to ''Bart and the Beanstalk'': a Game Boy game starring Bart that suffers from bad physics and severe ScreenCrunch. This one is at least slightly better because it has more ''Simpsons'' characters, and the food fight set piece is kind of fun, but it's still not something you would ever want to play for legitimate entertainment.

** ''The Simpsons: Itchy & Scratchy in Miniature Golf Madness'' is an interesting concept, being an action golf game based on ''WesternAnimation/TheItchyAndScratchyShow''. The problem is that it's on the Game Boy, severely limiting the graphic quality. The gameplay's also dull and unexciting, which is not what you would expect from ''Itchy & Scratchy''; Scratchy putts a ball while occassionally needing to jump over Itchy. The game overstays its welcome with every hole after 3 (there are 9 in total) having a par over 20.

*** The GBC version,[[note]]Also from 2000.[[/note]] made by a different developer, was the same thing, just on a miniscule screen and with awful music. You can imagine how ''that'' went down.