Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
