Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a silly strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more interesting 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* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
