Five Major Video Games You’ll Never Get to Play: Cancellations and Shutdowns That Still Sting

NEW YORK – November 18, 2025: As anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 builds amid another delay, a wave of canceled and delisted titles underscores how quickly high-profile projects can vanish. From Nintendo’s Switch-exclusive Super Mario Bros. 35 to Xbox’s canceled Perfect Dark revival, here are the most notable games that never made it-or were removed-despite strong fan interest.

Super Mario Bros. 35

A limited anniversary release that disappeared

Launched as part of Mario’s 35th anniversary, Super Mario Bros. 35 repurposed classic NES assets into a 2D battle royale for Nintendo Switch. The game quickly drew attention for its inventive, competitive spin on a beloved platformer.

Key facts:

• Release: October 1, 2020
• End of service: April 1, 2021
• Status: The game is no longer playable

The Switch-exclusive title was removed on schedule as part of a timed celebration, meaning new players-and returning fans-can no longer access it.

The Last of Us Online

Naughty Dog’s multiplayer project canceled

• Developer: Naughty Dog
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Canceled: 2023

After The Last of Us Part 2 was announced in 2016, Naughty Dog revealed in 2018 that it was developing a multiplayer mode. The mode was later expanded into a standalone live-service project, with updates continuing after the main game’s 2020 launch.

In 2022, the studio confirmed the multiplayer component would become a separate product. In 2023, the project was canceled, leaving behind artwork and a handful of leaked images. Based on the available material, it was presumed the game would have featured gameplay similar to the main series.

Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier

Mobile battle royale prequel shut down

Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier brought the iconic universe into the battle royale genre as a mobile-only release in 2021. Set decades before the original, its premise centered on Shinra testing recruits for the SOLDIER program, aligning with established lore.

Players customized their own candidates and geared up between matches to refine their builds. However, the game never came to consoles, and service ended in 2023, closing the door on the experiment for good.

Perfect Dark 3

Xbox’s reboot shelved after years of anticipation

The next entry in Perfect Dark-informally referred to as the third mainline game following 2005’s Perfect Dark Zero-was announced at The Game Awards 2020, sparking excitement among fans. Microsoft released updates slowly over the years, with The Initiative leading development and Crystal Dynamics assisting.

The project was canceled in July 2025, and The Initiative was shut down in the aftermath. Crystal Dynamics, which was assisting on development but is not owned by Microsoft, was unaffected by the closure.

Maverick Hunter

A first-person Mega Man X spinoff that never launched

• Developer: Armature Studio
• Publisher: Capcom
• Canceled: 2010

Maverick Hunter was envisioned as a first-person shooter reinterpretation of the Mega Man X franchise, effectively rebooting the character for a new era. Development was handled by Armature Studio, founded by former Retro Studios designers-the team known for the acclaimed Metroid Prime series.

The game was never officially announced before work reportedly started and stopped in 2010. Leaked footage emerged in 2013, offering the public a rare glimpse of what might have been.

Why these cancellations matter

These cases highlight the volatility of modern game development-especially for live-service titles and ambitious reboots. Timed releases, shifting priorities, and changing business strategies can end projects even after years of work or successful launches.

Conclusion: Preservation and expectations in a changing industry

From Super Mario Bros. 35 ending service on April 1, 2021, to Perfect Dark being canceled in July 2025, the industry’s rapid pivots continue to impact players and creators alike. As GTA 6 faces another delay, these developments underscore the importance of realistic expectations-and the ongoing challenge of preserving digital-only and live-service games for future audiences.