At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a silly strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
