At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer 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 Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of features. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out 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 its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying 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
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found value in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
