At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it opted to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections 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 largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.