At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
