Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite 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
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences 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 virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
