At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? 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 their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of content. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. 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 curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
