At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a minor strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal 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 makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
