Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience 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 complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes 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 new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
