Across the internet, fans are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The developers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User 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 protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
