At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, 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
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The developers opted to preserve the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims 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 tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found value in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
