The Lowest-Rated Games of the Year 2025, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Metascore: 54/100, User 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 bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10

To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.