At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour 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? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong 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 driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
