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

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the top titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious contrast to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, 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, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.