At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime 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 piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter 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 transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
