Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
