At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally 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 *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
