Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? It's time to 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 disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped 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 more generous takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a minor strike against it. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
