Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a minor point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
