At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad 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 pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. 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 makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
