Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product 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 curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
