Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor 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, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that noted 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, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
