Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions 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 more generous reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a minor point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers opted to release the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
