Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
