At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
