Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top titles of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of retro platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
