The Worst Video Games of 2025, According to Metacritic

At every turn, fans are quick to share their selections of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the charming software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games showcases a rude feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious contrast to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. Issues included a small roster of characters and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a rolling-collection experience 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 $40 price tag 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 a very long time in development hell. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.