Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, 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 "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop 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 baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. 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 curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 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 essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
