The Worst Video Games of This Year, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the top games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, based on 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

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

The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.