Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped 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 harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring excellent racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable point of contention. This collection of retro platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a small character selection and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, 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
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that rapidly 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 complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
