At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the charming software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a silly point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of features. User reviews was especially negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
