Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered harsh criticism from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price 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 nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter 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 digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
