Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? We'll take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. 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 piece of lost media from the past, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers opted to release the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
