Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's 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 feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a notable point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The developers opted to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to 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 well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
