Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 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 voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a silly strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in production delays. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players 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
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
