The Lowest-Rated Video Games of This Year, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10

First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance 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 motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.