Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly point of contention. This collection of retro Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The developers opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
