At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the top games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime 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 piece of lost media from the past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
