Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a notable annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more compelling 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 repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
