Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
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 expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a silly point of contention. This collection of retro platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims 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 a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
