Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year filled with excellent racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a notable strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in development hell. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
