At every turn, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? It's time to take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that praised the charming software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year featuring excellent racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a notable strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
