Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a silly strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a dearth of features. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims 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 tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
