Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a minor strike against it. This collection of retro Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks 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 dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
