Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year filled with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
