At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics 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 transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
