Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the charming software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced significant backlash from both professionals and players. Issues included a small character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
