The Worst Video Games of the Year 2025, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the confusing title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a curious contrast to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its short length 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 Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.