sonic unleashed

Werehog will never win

Maybe Final Fantasy XII?

what was divisive about double dash on launch curious

Good list

@DJSCheddar I haven't played it myself, but reception seemed much rosier after the HD release. Likely a fair call.

@Dratnerd This is probably quite anecdotal, but I remember a lot of MK64 fans taking a strong dislike to the handling and calling it the worst Mario Kart. It wasn't really until the 2010s that I saw a lot of praise for it. I've been a fan from the start, personally.

Yeah people definitely thought Double Dash was at the very least weird, I remember that as well. But as with pretty much every GameCube entry of a major Nintendo series, it's actually the best one

I'm making it my life's mission to get Ds2 added to this list

LOL keep dreaming

Nice list, maybe one of the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games would make a good addition.

@Hertzvoyager Yeah? They've definitely carved out their own niche, but I think pretty much all initial negativity thrown towards those games were just from Pokémon players who didn't really know what they were buying, and now they're just ignored by everyone who isn't into it. The same could likely be said for Skate with THPS fans, though.

I think a more fitting addition from the Pokémon franchise would be Black/White. These games were deeply controversial upon their release, especially the unprecedented decision to not include Pokémon from earlier generations. But since then their reputation has changed remarkably for the better, and they are now almost universally regarded as a high point for the series.
Also, Metal Gear Rising?

@Undercover I don't remember much pushback on Black and White, and it generally reviewed really well, but maybe the core fandom would have a more informed perspective on it. I'll list it with a credit.
Looking back, Rising was met with a lot more criticism on release than I remembered, judging it by the same criteria as a typical Metal Gear Solid sequel. I never see anything but passionate embrace of the game now. Not a game I would have thought of, but a fair call.