Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the controversy, 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 "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to channel a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an original product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
