At every turn, fans are quick to share their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that praised the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. 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 full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
