At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a minor strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a severe lack of content. User reviews was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection 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 engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
