Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital 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 European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a minor point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
