Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a minor point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. 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 shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
