Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, 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 vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished 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. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a silly strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of content. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of fans found fun in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
