At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially negative, with some voicing a hope 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
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. 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 transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
