The Most Disappointing Games of the Year 2025, According to Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10

The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the charming software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10

Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10

To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it opted to release the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.