Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a minor strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
