Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 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 voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital 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 studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year filled with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Issues included a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics 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 departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
