At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic 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 premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in production delays. The developers opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 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 pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, 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 shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
