Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? We'll take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response 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. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year featuring stellar racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Issues included a small character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
