At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response 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 competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews 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
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year filled with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a dearth of features. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature 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
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
