Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games revives a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to release the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that quickly 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 depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
