The Worst Video Games of This Year, Per Metacritic

Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the awkward title grammar is a minor annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a dearth of content. User reviews was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players 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, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.