Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? 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 as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year filled with stellar racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. Issues included a small character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims 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 narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
