At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that noted the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This compilation of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Issues included a limited character selection and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined 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 roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
