At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced 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 praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced significant backlash from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
