At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring excellent racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a minor strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Issues included a small character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
