Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
