Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
