Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the top releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
