Across the internet, fans are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
