The Worst Games of the Year 2025, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10

Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10

Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a rare contrast.