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

Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. User reviews was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted 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 satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several 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 positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.