Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a silly annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
