At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a severe lack of features. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
