At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 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 feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
