Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 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 ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of fans found value in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
