At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo 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 spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the delightful 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, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited character selection and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
