Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all 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
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a minor strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
