Across the internet, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
