Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by 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
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a minor strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
