Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. But what about the flops, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year featuring stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a silly strike against it. This compilation of retro platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away 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 tone-deaf. 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 makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
