The Worst Games of the Year 2025, Based on Metacritic

At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10

The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the charming software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a minor point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The developers opted to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. 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, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly 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 satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.