The Worst Video Games of This Year, According to Metacritic

Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Metascore: 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 voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10

Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10

First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. 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

Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.