Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 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 competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the polished software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a silly point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Issues included a small roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User 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 mimic a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. 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
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of fans found value in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
