At every turn, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
