At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially negative, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
