Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a notable strike against it. This compilation of retro mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
