Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. 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
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
