Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their selections of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in production delays. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon 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 satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
