At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the top games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a minor point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of features. User reviews was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
