The Worst Games of 2025, Per Metacritic

Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the top releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious oddity to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag 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 nearly two decades in production delays. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.