Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response 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. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the charming software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year packed with stellar racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a minor point of contention. This compilation of retro platforming games features a rude feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
