At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo 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 was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year featuring stellar racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
