At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a dearth of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
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 satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
