While the video game industry particularly boomed during the pandemic, it still means big business. Despite a mass of studio closures, layoffs, and game cancellations, the big three of Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony continue to dominate.
Even though Microsoft's gaming arm was recently gutted by the company's mass layoffs, it's looking ahead at an AI-powered future as it carries on growing.
Nintendo is celebrating success off the back of the Switch 2's record-breaking launch, and Sony is busy churning out originals as we wade through the various PlayStation 6 rumors.
Away from the ever-evolving hardware scene as we move toward a digital world, there's a booming market of old games being worth a not-so-small fortune, although there are some you'll want to make sure you don't have in your collection.
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There's a growing list of video game nasties, and even owning some banned titles could see you landed with hefty fines. Just like owning a copy of Rockstar Games' Manhunt in New Zealand is illegal, 2009's Shellshock 2: Blood Trails had a similar story.
Released by Rebellion Derby, the first-person shooter tried to merge the horror genre with the real-life horrors of the Vietnam War. You play as Private Nathaniel "Nate" Walker, who's sent into the jungle to locate his missing brother and retrieve information on a mysterious cargo that's turning people into zombies.
It's all pretty standard fodder for a horror game, but aside from being wildly different from 2004's third-person Shellshock: Nam '67, it garnered plenty of negative press due to its extreme violence.
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In an Xbox 360 review from HonestGamers, the outlet's Lewis Denby gave it half a star and left the following scathing response: "Shellshock 2 is literally the most unfair and frustrating game I've ever played. But there's a problem even bigger than this lack of playablity rearing its ugly head here. Shellshock 2 made me feel uncomfortable and dirty. It's almost exploitative..."
As well as being banned in Germany due to its content, Shellshock 2: Blood Trails also faced similar critiques in Malaysia and Singapore. Australia gave it perhaps the frostiest reception, as the Australian Classification Board (ACB) refused to classify it based on its high-impact violence, dismemberment, and the graphic ways players dispatched infected humans.
Even though private possession of the banned title isn't technically illegal, attempting to import it could see customs confiscate the game and issue you a warning or fine. Selling or sharing a copy can also lead to fines or criminal charges under Australian Law. With this, anyone caught trying to import or distribute Shellshock 2: Blood Trails faces up to $275,000 AUD or potential jail time.
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The latter is unlikely and is usually reserved for much wider illegal distribution or repeat offenders.
In territories like the UK and the USA, where Shellshock 2: Blood Trails wasn't banned, getting hold of a copy is relatively easy. Still, with some calling it the worst game they've ever played, you might want to add it to your gaming stash unless it's for preservation purposes.