Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? 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 their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing games. 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 irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
