Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This collection of retro Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length 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 past, launched after a very long time in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. 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
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
