Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to recognize 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? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals 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
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a notable point of contention. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Critics observed 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 Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to channel a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
