Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This anthology of retro mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a hope 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 anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers opted to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
