Across the internet, fans are quick to share their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful 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
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a silly point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
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 team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
