The Worst Video Games of the Year 2025, Per Aggregate Scores

Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the awkward colon usage is a silly point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced significant backlash from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of content. User reviews was particularly negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.

6. 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 Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience 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 developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.