At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This compilation of retro mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers opted to keep the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling 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 minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
