Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an original product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
