Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited character selection and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
