Across the internet, fans are quick to share their selections of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a moment 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 ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
