The Worst Video Games of the Year 2025, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10

First things first: the confusing colon usage is a notable annoyance. This compilation of retro platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a few of fans found value in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.