At every turn, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers opted to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
