Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a silly strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
