Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of features. User reviews was notably negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
