Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
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 development hell. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
