The Most Disappointing Video Games of This Year, Per Metacritic

Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a notable annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to release the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire 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

Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.