At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder 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
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of retro platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered significant backlash from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of features. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare 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 open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
