The Worst Games of the Year 2025, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10

Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighting game faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was especially negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was more interesting than the end product.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling 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 departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.