At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections 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, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the delightful software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a notable strike against it. This collection of retro Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. 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 years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
