At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. But what about the flops, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year featuring stellar racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
