Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year featuring excellent racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered harsh criticism from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. 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 past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. 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 makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that very soon 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 dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
