At every turn, fans are quick to share their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a minor point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Issues included a small roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an original product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
