At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the top titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the charming software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong 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 studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The developers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. 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 transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
