Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a minor point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
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 rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
