At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off 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 annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a dearth of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length 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 production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found value in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
