The Most Disappointing Video Games of the Year 2025, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.