Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's 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 bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
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 bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
