The Worst Games of the Year 2025, Per Aggregate Scores

At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

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 feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that highlighted the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. User reviews was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.