At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Issues included a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
