Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the failures? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length 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, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers opted to release the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
