At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? We'll take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
