At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a minor point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
