Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
