Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
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 expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a notable strike against it. This compilation of retro platforming games showcases a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call 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 high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
