Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year packed with excellent racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a minor point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in development hell. The developers opted to keep the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
