At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User 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 complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes 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 turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
