At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
