At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
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 complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the charming software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
