The Worst Video Games of the Year 2025, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from 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

Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. 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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This collection of retro platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. 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 makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.