Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. 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 resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, 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
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
