Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
