At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year filled with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a minor strike against it. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. 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 roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
