Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of retro mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
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 collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
