At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 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 feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite 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 simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This collection of retro platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames 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 dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
