Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a notable point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
