Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of retro platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its short length 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 Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
