Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics 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
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
