The Worst Games of 2025, Per Metacritic
Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced 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 harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that noted the charming software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
