Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that noted the charming software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with significant backlash from both professionals and players. Issues included a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
