At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was notably negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that rapidly became boring. 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, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
