At every turn, gamers are quick to share their selections of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews 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 shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers opted to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
