At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This collection of retro Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant 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 is a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an original product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
