Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Issues included a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized 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 similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
