At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing titles. 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 minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several 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 something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
