Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer 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 was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. 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 irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This collection of retro platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
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 essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
