The Worst Video Games of 2025, Per Metacritic

At every turn, fans are quick to share their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a silly point of contention. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in production delays. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, offering a rare contrast.