The Most Disappointing Games of This Year, Per Aggregate Scores
At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and players. Issues included a small character selection and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The publishers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense 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 tedious and repetitive, 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
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
