The Worst Video Games of This Year, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year featuring excellent racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This anthology of retro platforming games revives a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.