The Worst Video Games of 2025, According to Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter encountered harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging 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 game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

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

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.