Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
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 voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a minor point of contention. This collection of retro platforming games features a rude feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was particularly negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
