At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that noted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a minor point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both critics and players. Issues included a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression 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, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
