Across the internet, fans are quick to share their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced significant backlash from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an original product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found value in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
