Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a notable annoyance. This compilation of retro mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
