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

Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Metascore: 54/100, User 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 bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that highlighted the delightful software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling contrast to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an original product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.