Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the top releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
