Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the flops, the low achievers? We'll 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 as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a minor point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 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 assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.