The Lowest-Rated Video Games of the Year 2025, Per Aggregate Scores

At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a silly point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious oddity to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was particularly negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in production delays. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.