Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to 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 as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after years and years in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
