At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The developers opted to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
