Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
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 expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost 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 nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
