Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This collection of retro platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price 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 nearly two decades in development hell. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that very soon 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 engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.