Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a silly annoyance. This compilation of retro mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. 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 dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
