Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
