Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year filled with stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a silly annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a severe lack of content. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to channel a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
