Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a silly strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in development hell. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
