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

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating title grammar is a minor strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.