At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the top titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year packed with stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a minor annoyance. This collection of retro mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it opted to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
