Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? Let's take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment 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 highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
