Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience 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 free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the charming software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year featuring stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a notable strike against it. This compilation of retro mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
