At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a small roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to channel a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
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 pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
