At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the charming software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of retro platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered significant backlash from both critics and players. Issues included a small roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to channel a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics 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 digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying 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
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
