Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped 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 harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a minor point of contention. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
