At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy 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 SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin character selection and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
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 spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
