Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a minor point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after years and years in development hell. The developers opted to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
