Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a silly point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
