Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a minor point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Issues included a thin character selection and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was particularly 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
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
