Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a notable annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
