Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on 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
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
