At every turn, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
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 voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that rapidly 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 engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
