At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a minor point of contention. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. 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 turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
