The Most Disappointing Games of This Year, Based on Metacritic

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. 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

Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the awkward title grammar is a minor strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.