At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a silly annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to channel a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The developers opted to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
