Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
