Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. 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 goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
