Across the internet, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience 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 bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a minor strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers opted to keep the game as an original product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
