Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics 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 shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
