Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim 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 filled with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a dearth of features. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The developers opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal 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 virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
