Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed 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, especially in a year featuring excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a minor point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
