At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
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 gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 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 repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
