At every turn, fans are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, 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 "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a silly annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
