We all have a favorite gaming franchise, one that has stuck with us for years as we’ve found ourselves playing every title including spinoffs, but does that mean we love every game in the series?

It’s true that we may love a franchise so much that every game in it may seem like a home run. I think, however, that more often than not, there is a game or two in a franchise that just wasn’t a hit with us.

So, what game in your top franchise is your least favorite?

This doesn’t have to mean you necessarily hated the game. It could just mean you liked the game, but once was enough for you when playing it.

For me, The Legend of Zelda is my favorite gaming franchise.  I have not played every title in the franchise, but I’ve played most and am working on the rest. 

There were two that didn’t really hit for me: the original The Legend of Zelda and The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. 

The original game was ok but tough. I did not have the benefit of playing it at its original release so I’m looking at it through modern goggles. I’m happy to say I played and beat it, but I won’t return to it anytime soon.

Phantom Hourglass, however, was one I enjoyed more but the DS controls really killed any momentum I got in the game. Linebeck was a fantastic character and it was fun exploring some post-credit The Wind Waker action, but the controls really turned me off. 

I came across this topic as I recently asked the world about their favorite Final Fantasy game. I came across a list of top entries in the franchise, but I also found people also cared about their least favorites just as strongly as their personal best game.

It’s no surprise that a long-running franchise may not always hit it out of the park. Entertainment is that way sometimes. 

I mean, I love The Office, but that eighth season after Steve Carrell left was rough. That doesn’t mean I like the show any less. The same can be said about your favorite gaming franchise.

And many times, a developer tends to bounce back strongly after a dud or two. Many regard Final Fantasy VIII as their least favorite, but what followed was Final Fantasy IX, one that was considered a favorite to many.

What about you? What is your least favorite entry in your top gaming franchise? Why did that game not connect with you? Let us know in the comments below or by heading over to our Discord channel to join in the discussion.

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The Boss Rush Podcast is the flagship podcast of Boss Rush Media and The Boss Rush Network. Each week, Corey, LeRon, Stephanie, Edward, and their friends from around the internet come together to talk their week in games, entertainment, and more while also bringing topics for conversation, answer listener and community questions, and cover major news and events happening in the video game industry. Watch The Boss Rush Podcast live on Wednesday Nights on Twitch at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT or on Monday mornings at 7 a.m. ET on YouTube and podcast services everywhere. Thanks for listening! You can also get this episode one week early on Patreon.

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