Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a notable annoyance. This collection of retro mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst 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 team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
