Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all 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 pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the charming software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers opted to release the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims 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 a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare 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
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
