At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar 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 debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a minor annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
