At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
