Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the top titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring excellent racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a silly strike against it. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, 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 something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
