Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The developers opted to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a few of fans found value in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
