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

Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a notable strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious oddity to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label 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

Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.