Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the top games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just 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 filled with stellar racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of content. User reviews was particularly negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
