Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that praised the charming software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a minor point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag 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 a very long time in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
