Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
