The Worst Games of This Year, Per Aggregate Scores

Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a minor point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter encountered significant backlash from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length 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 past, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the end product.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.