At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a minor strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag 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 production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
