Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to channel a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire 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
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that quickly became boring. 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
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
