Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This collection of retro mascot platformers features a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
