Summary
While Electronic Arts isnot exactly renowned for its industry-friendly practices, the massive library of video games under its 20-studio belt has ensured that many of its past titles are beloved by many. However, be it due to a dwindling player base or as a result of requiring licenses and likenesses, many EA titles are now inaccessible via digital storefronts — or outright unplayable.
From original games being superseded by sequels to flash-in-the-pan original titles simply not capturing EA’s attention, the home ofMaddenandThe Simshas made a whole host of older titles unavailable for general audiences to enjoy.
Although Respawn Entertainment’s 2016 multiplatform FPS sequelTitanfall 2has garnered critical acclaim and the reputation as"one of gaming’s most endearing buddy-bot relationships,“the series' original sci-fi combat title is no longer available.
Originally published as a console exclusive on Microsoft hardware, across both the Xbox One and Xbox 360,Titanfallwas eventuallydelisted from digital storefrontson June 12, 2025 — almost eight years to the day of its release. While the fragile servers for the multiplayer-only title have continued to be supported for those who have already purchased the game, those hoping to experience EA’s inaugural mecha combat title will have to look to its sequel or elsewhere.
Considering its place asa ‘Best Racing Game’ winnerand a sequel to the racing game where"every car and track, physics, and gameplay were right on point,“2019’sGRIDis arguably a title still worth picking up today. Debuting on eighth-generation consoles,GRID’s focus on dynamic AI racers alongside Codemasters' proven prowess at creating a polished racing title set it up as a title seemingly worthy of upholding the series' nearly 20-year history.
However, as tends to be the case with titles that require the likenesses of products and personalities — such as cars and their drivers —GRIDwas quietly delisted on November 30th, 2023. Not only was it removed from console storefronts, but subscription services such as EA Play and Xbox Game Pass had their libraries altered as well. While its 2022 sequelGRID Legendsis still available, those wishing to play the series' original reboot are unfortunately out of luck.
Rounded up with its fellow FPS titlesBattlefield 4andBattlefield: Hardline,Battlefield 3was announced to bedelisted by EA on May 15, 2025. While the other two titles would continue to be playable on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One ecosystems,Battlefield 3’s position as a seventh console-generation title left it behind.
Although it remains a backward-compatible title on Xbox for those who already own a physical copy, the delisting of"EA’s answer to Activision’s Call of Duty"from digital storefronts and subscription services left itsacclaimed blockbuster campaignin the past. However, if an avidBattlefieldfan were to find a physical copy, or purchase it on PC where it is still available, they would still enjoy its genre-defining destructible environments and modern combat.
Considering its acclaim at the time of release as"one of the most difficult and rewarding racing sims we’ve ever had the pleasure of test driving,“the position of theProject CARSracing franchise was once seemingly solid. Unfortunately, three years after the IP was purchased by Codemasters, the twoProject CARSracing titles — developed by Slightly Mad Studios while they were wholly independent — were delisted from digital storefronts.
Citing"expiring car & track licenses"for the decision, the titles “remain fully playable” for those who had already purchased the games, either physically or digitally. While the franchise is now dormant, after EA criticized its"longer-term growth potential,“the series' arcade-style follow-upProject CARS 3is still available, with the mobile spin-offProject CARS GOalso delisted.
Despite anotable performance from Nolan Northas Elliot Salem — one ofArmy of Two: The 40th Day’s protagonists — and a branching narrative with moral dilemmas, EA Montreal’s 2010 third-person shooter is no longer available on digital storefronts.
Beyond showcasing an in-depth weapon customization system, along with a gritty yet tongue-in-cheek narrative,Army of Two: The 40th Day’s co-op focus predates the existence ofcontemporary multiplayer-only experiencessuch asA Way OutandChained Together. The highest-rated entry in the trilogy of experimental third-person shooters,Army of Two: The 40th Day— and its sequelArmy of Two: The Devil’s Cartel— are only survived by the existence of physical copies and the original 2008 title through Xbox backwards compatibility.
Beyond its place as an"interesting mash-up of other popular multiplayer games"that once upon a time had “the foundation to be the next great multiplayer shooter,” Final Strike Games' arcade-style third-person hero-shooterRocket Arenais now a relic of the year 2020 in video games.
Despite its ambitious combination of inspiredelements from titles such asOverwatch,Super Smash Bros., andFortnite,Rocket Arena’s paid entry to a free-to-play-style multiplayer ecosystem is often touted as its downfall by players. Commenting on the"kindness, care, and camaraderie"of its game’s community, developer Final Strike Games announced the sunsetting of the game’s servers on July 26, 2025. With its digital-only footprint, the game is completely devoid of representation on any storefront, yetthe developers have continued to assistin the upkeep of other online titles such asFallout 76,Call of Duty: Warzone, andFortnite.
Taking into account thenigh-on universal acclaimfor Francis Ford Coppola’sThe Godfathermotion pictures, the decision for Electronic Arts to adapt the classic gangster film trilogy into the medium of video games is seemingly obvious. However, with the closure of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 digital storefronts in 2021 and 2023 respectively, alongside the delisting ofThe GodfatherandThe Godfather 2from Steam in 2014, both titles are no longer playable.
In"trying to carve a name for themselves,“developer EA Redwood Shores sought to adapt both the open world of titles such asGrand Theft Auto, and the grand narrative ofThe Godfathermovies. Yet, with EA themselves bemoaning that"the bloom is really off the rose for licensed games,“an adaptation of the third Godfather film was canceled — with only series such asMafiacarrying the torch for period-inspired gangster titles.
In what is ultimately the end result for all digital-only video games, regardless of how acclaimed, EA’s larger-than-life 2021 dodgeball video gameKnockout Cityhas found itself effectively unplayable by contemporary audiences. In"a necessary and important"decision for the studio, developer Velan Studios announced on Jun 07, 2025, that their action-sports title would be delisted with its servers shut down within the year.
In a somewhat saturated market of free-to-play online titles, it was celebrated that"a game likeKnockout Citycomes along and steals the show.“However, with its removal from all console digital storefronts and its servers gone,Knockout Cityis now only playable on PC due to a private server version that was made public at the end of the game’s life — “soKnockout Citycan live on forever.”
