Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo 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 was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after years and years in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
