Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a minor point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in production delays. The developers made the decision to release the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames 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 profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
