Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable annoyance. This compilation of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime 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 resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in production delays. The team behind it opted to release the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
