Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's 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 voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a notable strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a limited character selection and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy 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 piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment 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 departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
