Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences 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, Audience 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 vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
