Games that failed because they were ahead of their time.

[jp1]

So, let's discuss some games that failed commercially because they were ahead of their time in some way and people weren't prepared for them yet. In other words a retro game that failed in it's own time but would likely be a hit if it was released today.

Although it can't exactly be considered a commercial failure I feel that MetalStorm did not get the attention or credit it deserved and were it released today I think it would attract a much larger crowd. I can't really pinpoint why it feels "ahead of it's time" but I certainly get a much different feel from it than other games of the time period.

I know my example isn't the best..but that's why I want to hear some better examples from you people.

[h8b1llg8ts]

NiGHTS, I can't imagine life without NiGHTS. I know people are going to come along and say Shenmue but Sega would not be around if they didn't not show something besides Sonic. And NiGHTS is it.

Yes, we got a poor sequel with the Wii but all 3D realm games owe a large page from Sega. Even though Mario 64 came out a couple days before in Japan I still love and breath NiGHTS and am running through Christmas NiGHTS just to get into the holiday spirit early.

[fedexin]

Ico for sure!

[Hobie-wan]

Earlier power pad games for the NES. The pad element leads to DDR with rhythm and finesse and the vigorous burst of activity/movement sort of leads to Wii sports games and some party game elements where you tire your arms or legs out in a hurry.

[Hobie-wan]

Seaman. Dogs and other virtual pet games sold like mad. Seaman just wasn't cute enough.

[billberth]

REZ when it come out on dreamcast.

[pepharytheworm]

Its not a game but the powerglove. It took the wii for this idea to sell.

[shaolin242]

NiGHTS, I can't imagine life without NiGHTS. I know people are going to come along and say Shenmue but Sega would not be around if they didn't not show something besides Sonic. And NiGHTS is it.

Yes, we got a poor sequel with the Wii but all 3D realm games owe a large page from Sega. Even though Mario 64 came out a couple days before in Japan I still love and breath NiGHTS and am running through Christmas NiGHTS just to get into the holiday spirit early.

i just picked up a sealed copy of something like Nights into dreams or something on the saturn that came with a nice 3d controller - is this the one you mean?

[AmishSamurai]

The same.

I'd agree with Seaman. Ico too.

[Pulsar_t]

Ico for sure!

I disagree. ICO might have been ignored by the masses but it sold well enough for Sony to consider the team behind it a commercial success.

Most ambitious games that totally fail in sales are often overshadowed by greater nemesis. There's no way games like Outcast, Jurassic Park: Trespasser or Wheel of Time would have sold better considering their competition at the time. But sometimes it's just a disgrace on the gaming community that gems like Psychonauts hardly break 100k units sold.