At every turn, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial 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 curious artifact from the past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away 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 ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
