Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a minor annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
