At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title 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 harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
