Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? Let's take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
