At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to examine 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? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a minor strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after years and years in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
