Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and players. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
