Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? We'll take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a silly annoyance. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Issues included a thin character selection and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
