Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User 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 was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Issues included a thin character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
