Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
