The Lowest-Rated Video Games of the Year 2025, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the polished software itself. In spite of 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 vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.