Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the controversy, 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 garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel 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 was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after a very long time in development hell. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly 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 depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
