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 underperformers? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers opted to keep the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
