Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced 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 scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was especially negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to channel a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
