Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a silly strike against it. This compilation of retro platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to channel a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime 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 Xbox era, finally released after years and years in production delays. The developers opted to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
