Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with stellar racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
