At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a minor point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of content. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
