The Worst Games of the Year 2025, Based on Aggregate Scores

At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating colon usage is a silly strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.