At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games features a rude feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in production delays. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove 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 serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
