Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of 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
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a minor point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User 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 a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
