At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond 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, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
