Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, 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 "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, 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 awkward punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
