Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with excellent racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price 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 production delays. The developers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
