At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced significant backlash from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
