Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a silly strike against it. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
