Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year featuring stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User 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*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
