At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a silly strike against it. This compilation of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a small character selection and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of fans found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
