At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? It's time to take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a silly strike against it. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
