Duke Nukem Forever was the victim of this (among other issues). Expectations were so high, by the time it finally released it couldn't do anything but be an absolute failure. It still sold well, because of the hype, but the game was total trash and ruined any chances of a new Duke Nukem for a long time.
Part of it is also internal, the game gets delayed, people get hyped up and voice their expectations. The devs hear those expectations and see their game doesn't live up to it and delay the game to make it better. It's an endless race you can't ever win.