Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 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 voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year filled with excellent racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a silly strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were 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 enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a few of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
