At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a silly strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced significant backlash from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
