At every turn, fans are quick to share their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that noted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented 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, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a rude feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration 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 Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
