At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that praised the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
