Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a rude feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
