At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, 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 "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a rude feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. 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, launched after a very long time in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
