Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their selections of the top titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was notably negative, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
