Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the charming software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year featuring stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of retro platforming games features a rude feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
