Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
