The Most Disappointing Titles of the Year 2025, According to Metacritic

Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one 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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year filled with excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the awkward colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, 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, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.