At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to channel a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after a very long time in development hell. The publishers opted to release the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
