The Most Controversial DLC Releases of All Time

16 December 2025

When the term "DLC" or downloadable content gets thrown around among gamers, it tends to stir up a mix of emotions. Let’s be real—some DLCs are absolute bangers, extending the life of a game in the best possible way. Others, though? Well... they ignite fiery debates and leave players feeling ripped off. Whether it's paywalls blocking critical content or outrageous pricing, certain DLC releases have forever etched themselves into infamy. So grab a snack, and let’s dive into some of the most controversial DLC releases of all time.

1. "Horse Armor" - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Ah, the DLC that started it all—or at least the meme-worthy chaos. Bethesda’s 2006 release of horse armor for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a game-changer... though not in a good way. For just $2.50, players could deck their horse out in shiny armor. Cool, right? Except it served absolutely no functional purpose beyond aesthetics.

This marked one of the first times gamers collectively asked, "Wait, we’re paying for this?" It wasn't about the price tag; it was the principle. People argued that it set a dangerous precedent, paving the way for shallow, cash-grab DLCs in the future. Fast-forward to today, and you’ll find horse armor mentioned in pretty much every conversation about bad DLCs.

2. "From Ashes" - Mass Effect 3

Let’s talk about Mass Effect 3 and its infamous day-one DLC, From Ashes. BioWare fans were already hyped (and stressed) about how the trilogy was set to conclude. But when it came out that a critical piece of story content—the Prothean character Javik—was locked behind a $10 paywall on launch day? Oh boy, the internet exploded.

Many argued that Javik wasn’t just "optional" content but an essential part of the game’s lore. Why was this storyline, which clearly felt integral, kept out of the main package? The outrage was enough to tarnish BioWare’s reputation for years. Even now, From Ashes is often used as the go-to example of how not to handle DLC.

3. "Elusive Content" - Street Fighter X Tekken

Fighting games thrive on character rosters—it’s like their bread and butter. So imagine the uproar when Street Fighter X Tekken players discovered that 12 DLC characters were already on the disc they bought. Yep, the data for these fighters was locked behind a paywall.

Capcom justified it by saying it was for a "seamless" post-launch rollout, but gamers saw right through that excuse. They felt cheated, like buying a pizza only to find out the toppings were already baked into the crust but would cost extra to "unlock." Needless to say, this wasn’t a great look for Capcom, and fans let them know it.

4. "Everything Is Paywalled" - The Sims 4

Oh, The Sims—a franchise loved and hated in equal measure due to its DLC practices. While all Sims games have a history of pumping out expansion packs, The Sims 4 took it to new extremes. EA, the publisher, has released dozens of DLC packs—ranging from expansions to "stuff packs"—many of which feel like basic features that should’ve been in the base game.

Want pools? Pay for them. Seasons? Fork over more cash. Pets? You guessed it. The sheer overwhelming amount of content locked behind paywalls made fans accuse EA of milking the community dry. Sure, some packs are worth the price, but others feel like… well, a money grab.

5. "Pay to Win" - Star Wars Battlefront II

Let’s take a trip to a galaxy far, far away—where EA reigned supreme in controversy yet again. When Star Wars Battlefront II dropped in 2017, it was supposed to be the ultimate Star Wars experience. Instead, it became ground zero for the loot box debate.

The game’s progression system was tied to randomized loot boxes that could be purchased with real money, meaning players who paid more had a clear advantage. Unsurprisingly, this didn’t go over well. Gamers called it "pay-to-win," and the backlash was so intense that EA temporarily disabled microtransactions altogether. While they eventually reworked the system, it was too late to save the game's reputation.

6. "Cut Content" - Destiny

Bungie’s Destiny was already under scrutiny for its lackluster content at launch, but things only got worse when fans realized that bits of the DLC released later were already on the disc. Both The Dark Below and The Taken King expansions left players feeling like they were paying for stuff that should’ve been included in the base game.

Even worse, The Taken King came with a $40 price tag—nearly the cost of a full game—and introduced new strikes, gear, and a raid that felt necessary to enjoy the full experience. Bungie argued that the DLC added significant value (and it kinda did), but the damage was done. Players were frustrated, and the term "recycled content" became synonymous with Destiny.

7. "Spartans Behind a Paywall" - Halo 5: Guardians

The Halo series has always had a strong multiplayer scene, but Halo 5: Guardians took a good deal of heat for its REQ Pack system. These packs, which could either be earned through gameplay or purchased outright, gave players access to weapons, vehicles, and abilities in the Warzone mode. The problem? Those who spent real money had a distinct advantage early on, leading to accusations of "pay-to-win."

Although 343 Industries claimed the system was balanced for both paying and non-paying players, the community wasn’t sold. It felt like a betrayal of the core competitive spirit that made Halo so iconic in the first place.

8. "Locked Endings" - Asura’s Wrath

If you’ve never played Asura’s Wrath, let me sum it up for you: it’s an over-the-top anime-inspired action game where you smash gods in the face with pure rage. Sounds awesome, right? It was—until players hit the final act. Instead of getting the full ending, they were greeted with a message telling them to buy the DLC for the "true" conclusion.

Talk about a slap in the face. Locking the ending of a game behind a paywall is a bold move, and not in a good way. It’s like serving someone a delicious three-course meal, only to tell them dessert costs extra. Capcom (yeah, them again) faced heavy backlash for this, and the game’s legacy took a hit because of it.

9. "Cut Content, Again?" - Resident Evil 5

You’d think publishers would learn, but nope. In Resident Evil 5, Capcom (are you noticing a pattern yet?) released a multiplayer mode called Versus as DLC. Sounds great, except the mode wasn’t exactly new content. It was already on the disc, waiting to be unlocked for a fee.

Fans were furious. It wasn’t just about paying for content they technically already owned—it felt like a blatant cash grab. Sure, Resident Evil 5 went on to sell millions of copies, but this left a sour taste in the mouths of die-hard fans.

10. "The Outer Worlds Expansion Pass"

While Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds was praised for its witty writing and RPG mechanics, its DLC practices seemed to rub some players the wrong way. The expansion pass, which included Peril on Gorgon and Murder on Eridanos, was priced at $25. While not inherently absurd, many players felt like the additional content wasn’t worth the price considering how short the expansions were.

It wasn’t necessarily a bad DLC—it delivered decent narrative threads—but when fans drop money on an expansion, they expect more bang for their buck. Some argued it felt more like glorified side missions rather than must-play content.

Are DLCs a Necessary Evil?

At the end of the day, downloadable content is a double-edged sword. While it can enhance our favorite games with fresh experiences, it’s also a minefield of bad decisions, corporate greed, and questionable practices. These controversial DLC releases prove that the line between value and exploitation is razor-thin.

What do you think? Do DLCs add to gaming, or are they just another way for companies to squeeze more cash out of us? Let me know your hot takes, because this debate isn’t slowing down anytime soon.