Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a silly point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was particularly negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. 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 transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
