Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
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 voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the charming software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a silly annoyance. This collection of retro mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
