At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a silly strike against it. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in production delays. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead 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 bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames 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 engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
