At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad 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 voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many 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 value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
