Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a notable strike against it. This anthology of retro mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a severe lack of content. User reviews was notably negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
