The Worst Games of This Year, Per Aggregate Scores

At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the delightful software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.