At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This collection of retro mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of fans found value in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
