At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews 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 shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of 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 simulation from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a minor annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to channel a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in production delays. The developers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
