At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that praised the charming software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a minor point of contention. This collection of retro mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a thin character selection and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The developers made the decision to release the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, 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
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
