Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a silly point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration 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, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
