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

Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the polished software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim 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 annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after years and years in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics 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 turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.