At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year featuring excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a minor strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost 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 mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
