The Most Disappointing Video Games of This Year, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10

Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious oddity to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found value in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.