Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? 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 the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year packed with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a minor point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited character selection and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia 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. Critics argued that its goal to channel a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
