Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year featuring stellar racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a minor annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter 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 virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
