DLC is a great way to expand the content of a game. They can add new areas to explore, additional bits of lore, as well as items that were not previously obtainable within the base game. However, there are times when DLC doesn’t always stick around.
This isn’t a case where a game is so old, additional content is hard to find, but rather, the DLC was always meant to be temporary. Some of the coolest content in gaming has the misfortune of only being available for a short while before it is gone. These timed DLC often never return and if you snooze, you lose.
10
Dave The Diver Godzilla
Fresh Recipes And Monster Encounters
- Released
-
June 28, 2023
- Developer(s)
-
Mintrocket
- Publisher(s)
-
Mintrocket
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Blood
If you didn’t get the Godzilla DLC for Dave The Diver, then you’re pretty much out of luck, unless it’s brought back at some point.
Dave The Diver is all about swimming deep into the ocean and collecting both treasure and ingredients. The Godzilla DLC adds plenty of fresh dishes inspired by both Godzilla and the sea monster, Ebirah. There are even new collectibles to find as well as appearances from the monsters themselves in the background. Unfortunately, this Godzilla crossover was only available for a limited time.
9
Dead Rising 3’s Frank And Chuck Outfits
Iconic Outfits Locked To A Day One Celebration
Dead Rising 3
- Released
-
November 22, 2013
- Developer(s)
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Capcom Vancouver
- Publisher(s)
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Microsoft Game Studios
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Sexual Content
Dead Rising 3 has two of the rarest outfits for the Xbox One versions of the game. These are the Frank West and Chuck Greene outfits. While many pre-order bonuses will eventually be sold as additional DLC, Dead Rising 3 kept the content limited even years after release.
This pre-order DLC was only available during the Xbox One’s initial launch and the day one presence of Dead Rising 3. While you aren’t missing much in terms of gameplay, the skins give buffs to certain skills while also unlocking a few exclusive zombie-killing moves.
8
Predator Hunting Grounds
Lost In The Jungles Of Time
- Released
-
April 24, 2020
- Developer(s)
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Illfonic
- Publisher(s)
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Sony Interactive Entertainment
- ESRB
-
m
Predator Hunting Grounds has some temporary DLC which, luckily, was all cosmetic. This is the Fireteam DLC which included the skins, Dutch 1987, Dutch 2025, Dante “Beastmode” Jefferson, and Isabelle.
This all added variations of characters already available in the game, such as an older, grizzled Dutch. The humans weren’t the only ones with temporary DLC. There was also the Jungle Hunter Predator, which was a preorder for the initial release of the game on Playstation or Epic Games.
7
Fortnite
Fortnite Crew And Special Events
- Released
-
July 25, 2017
- ESRB
-
T for Teen – Violence
Fortnite has plenty of DLC only available for short bursts of time, in the form of Fortnite Crew as well as specific event outfits. However, nothing hurts more than having a collection with one missing piece that you can no longer get. One example of this is the Meowscles family.
The Meowscles family is divided, with the original Meowscles and Meowskull being locked to Battle Passes. Meanwhile, Kat is locked behind Fortnite Crew. Luckily, some variations, such as Toon Meowscles and Phantom Meowscles, rotate back into the shop occasionally. This same concept applies to many other collections whether it be Marvel, DC, or Star Wars.
6
Sonic Forces Shadow The Hedgehog Costume
Dress Up As Shadow
Platformer
Shooter
Fighting
Adventure
- Released
-
November 7, 2017
- Developer(s)
-
Sonic Team
- ESRB
-
e
One of the most popular Sonic characters of all time is Shadow the Hedgehog. This angsty Hedgehog has a compelling story of loss and revenge. Sonic Forces includes DLC that allows you to customize your self-insert as the iconic hedgehog.
With so many costumes to choose from, it is sad to see one of the most iconic characters locked behind an exclusive DLC. Especially one that was only available for a short month. On the bright side, the DLC is purely cosmetic so you can live without it.
5
Spider-Man 2
A Fake Out Timed DLC
Spider-Man 2 DLC Costumes
Open-World
Action-Adventure
Superhero
- Released
-
October 20, 2023
- Publisher(s)
-
Sony Interactive Entertainment
- ESRB
-
T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
Timed DLC doesn’t always come back after it leaves the store. Spider-Man 2 faked out players with the Fly N’ Fresh DLC, which added two costumes and a series of fresh Photo Mode features. These include ten stickers and two frames you can play around with.
This DLC was only available for roughly a month before being taken off the store. However, this is one case where a game with timed DLC gave players a second chance. Five months later, the DLC became available once again as a free download.
4
Dead By Daylight
Prepare To Travel
- Released
-
June 14, 2016
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Dead By Daylight has plenty of DLC to sink your teeth into. They allow you to take the role of many iconic killers from the horror genre as well as a few additional survivors that accompany them. However, not all DLC can be found in a store.
Some DLC was only available at a specific location or event. These include survivor outfits as well as customization options for Trapper. These outfits could be obtained through codes by visiting various gaming shows such as Pax, Twitchcon, or watching a streamers livestream when codes are handed out. Luckily, some of these items were made available later on, but not all.
3
Pokemon Platinum
Pokemon’s Most Iconic DLC
Pokémon Platinum
- Released
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March 22, 2009
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
- ESRB
-
E For Everyone
The Pokemon games have delved into the realm of contemporary DLC, starting with Pokemon Sword And Shield. However, one of the most iconic instances of timed DLC came from the days of generation four. Pokemon Platinum has additional stories that can only be tapped into through distribution.
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These items include the Secret Key, Member Card, and Oak’s Letter. These items were essential for starting the Darkrai, Rotom, and Shaymin events. For the longest time, this made those legendary Pokemon difficult to obtain legally without resorting to hacks.
2
Until Dawn 2015
Roads Not Taken
- Released
-
August 25, 2015
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
Until Dawn got a remake which adds all the additional scenes that were missing from the original game. However, if you’re a fan of the original, you will find that it is nearly impossible to unlock these scenes if you weren’t there on day one of its release.
The Road Not Taken DLC adds a new scene between Matt and Emily that takes place before the events of chapter three. With the DLC being 12 minutes long, it doesn’t add much other than some exposition, but none of which changes the overall character writing from the rest of the game.
1
Sonic Superstars
Lego Skins And Alternate Styles
- Released
-
October 17, 2023
- Developer(s)
-
Sonic Team
- ESRB
-
e
When Sonic says that you gotta go fast, you better start running. Otherwise, you might miss out on the Lego DLC Skins and styles for Sonic Superstars. In this DLC, Eggman gets a Lego variant while Amy Rose gets an outfit that depicts her modern design.
While Amy Rose got her costume released as a separate purchase, the same could not be said about Lego Eggman or the comic-style setting. This can get frustrating when the only character in your game not in Lego form is Eggman.
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DLC can make a bad game good or make a great game incredible. From Mass Effect 3 and GTA 4 to Bioshock 2, here are the best DLCs of all time.