Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced significant backlash from both critics and players. Issues included a small character selection and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
