Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
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 expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a minor point of contention. This collection of retro mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
