Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite 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
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor strike against it. This collection of retro mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced significant backlash from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to channel a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in production delays. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment 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 new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
