Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.