Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions 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 "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a minor strike against it. This compilation of retro platforming games features a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. 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 curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
