Across the internet, fans are quick to share their selections of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially negative, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection 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* fell flat with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
