At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a notable annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia 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 slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
