Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their lists of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games revives a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
