At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a notable point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a dearth of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson 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 gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience 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 dull collection of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
