At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
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 voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic 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 a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
