At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best titles of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying 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 engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
