The Worst Games of the Year 2025, Per Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are quick to share their selections of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.