The Worst Titles of This Year, Per Aggregate Scores

Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the confusing punctuation is a minor strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of features. User reviews was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience 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 publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.