Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
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 centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
