At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year featuring stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
