Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin character selection and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab 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 curious artifact from the past, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
