Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the delightful software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a small character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. 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 depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
