Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the top releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital 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 Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a silly strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
