At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best games of 2025. But what about the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that praised the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a notable point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The developers opted to release the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
