Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued 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
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
