Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a silly strike against it. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Issues included a small character selection and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some stating a wish 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 quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
