Across the internet, fans are quick to share their lists of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews 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 heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game 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 detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
