At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year featuring stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a minor annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that quickly 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, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
