At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. 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
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year featuring excellent racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The developers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
