Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their selections of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a notable strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes 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 digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
