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

At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that noted the delightful software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience 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*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.