Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top games of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that noted the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a silly annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
