The Lowest-Rated Video Games of This Year, Based on Aggregate Scores

At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.