Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
