Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games features a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
