At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. Issues included a small character selection and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, 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
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
