Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their lists of the top releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a silly strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged 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 small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
