Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a notable annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a rude feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. User reviews was notably negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
