At every turn, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title 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 scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to 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 complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
