Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a notable point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered significant backlash from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
