Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
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 bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of features. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
