Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a silly strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced significant backlash from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth 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 experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
