At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the delightful software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
