At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This collection of retro mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in production delays. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience 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 unsatisfying series of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.