Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised 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
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable strike against it. This compilation of retro mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
