Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag 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, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences 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
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
