Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
