At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *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 not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
