The Most Disappointing Video Games of the Year 2025, Based on Aggregate Scores

Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their selections of the top releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to channel a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

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 production delays. The developers made the decision to release the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.