At every turn, gamers are quick to share their selections of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that noted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year filled with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
