Popular video game that sold more than a million copies was banned from UK shops after backlash from parents

While many recognise Rockstar Games for its highly popular Grand Theft Auto series, which was met with a lot of criticism, the game publisher was also met with objection over the years for some of its other titles.

Manhunt, for example, is a stealth game that took things in a much darker direction.

The story follows James Cash who unknowingly participates in a series of snuff films, as the players are essentially praised for the brutality of their kills.

The 2003 release ended up being banned in countries like New Zealand, Germany, and later Australia.

Another Rockstar game that faced major backlash back in 2006 was Bully or those in the UK might recognise it, Canis Canem Edit.

Although it never got a sequel, Bully became a cult classic, selling over 1.5 million copies.

The game sees players take on the role of 15-year-old James 'Jimmy' Hopkins who is a new arrival at an elite boarding school called Bullworth Academy.

Rockstar Games

And, as you probably guessed it, the game involves a lot of bullying throughout its story missions. As the player progresses, Jimmy earns respect from various factions like the nerds, the preppies, the jocks and even the teachers.

This involved doing favours, but also getting into fist-fights, using weapons like baseball bats, and pulling pranks.

Controversy actually started even before the game was released, especially in the UK.

In 2005, when the game had been announced but was knee-deep in development, then-Labour MP Keith Vaz made a statement criticising it: "I am appalled at the subject matter of this so-called 'game'. Although I have not seen it I am aware of its contents.

"The manufacturers of this game should not release it. They should consider the effect that it will have on children, parents and teachers. Bullying is a hateful activity and it would be wrong to glorify it."

This led to the UK retailer Currys PC World deciding against selling the game.

Hamish Thompson, a spokesperson from DSG International, the parent company of Curry PC World, told the BBC at the time: "We took a view that because it touches on a sensitive issue - violence in school - that it is not a product we would stock.

Rockstar Games

"We are committed to a good working relationship with Rockstar Games and will continue to stock all of its other titles."

In response, Rockstar issued a statement explaining that people have 'different opinions about art and entertainment' but one thing we can all agree on is the seriousness of bullying and school violence.

They added: "Bully is still a work-in-progress, but when it's finished we believe most people will agree it offers an exciting experience and tells an engaging story.

"More and more people are beginning to recognise that the stories in video games have as many themes and plot lines as books and movies. Just as books aren't judged by their covers, video games shouldn't be judged by their titles or individual scenes."

Despite much criticism from parents at the time, Bully still managed to find success among the gaming community.

Years later, in 2016, Sony added an emulated version of Bully to the PlayStation Store, allowing PS4 and, now PS5, players to revisit the classic experience as it was originally designed for the PlayStation 2.