Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was notably negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime 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 development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
