Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a rude feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
