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At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a minor point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an original product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
