Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a small character selection and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration 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 Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an original product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
