Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their rankings of the best titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust 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 pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
