At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a minor strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
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 slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
