Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year featuring stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a minor point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of content. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product 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 piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims 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 monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
