Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack 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 well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
