Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a minor strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to release the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. 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 insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
