At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a minor annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
