At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a silly strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a dearth of content. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
