At every turn, gamers are quick to share their selections of the top games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year featuring stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly annoyance. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection feel didn't land, 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, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon 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 complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
