Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that highlighted the delightful software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some stating 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
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. 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 makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
