Across the internet, fans are quick to share their lists of the top titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off 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 piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike 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, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
