At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
