Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the top releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the charming software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year packed with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The 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 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. 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, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
