Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a silly point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
