Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from 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, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
