The Worst Games of the Year 2025, According to Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10

First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a silly point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling oddity to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game was met with significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.