At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored 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 "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a silly point of contention. This compilation of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.