Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with stellar racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price 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 past, launched after years and years in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
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*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics 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 departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
