At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
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 voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year featuring stellar racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a dearth of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, 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 piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
