The Most Disappointing Games of the Year 2025, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10

Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that noted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, 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 "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10

Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of retro platforming games features a rude feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.