At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a rude feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
