At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Issues included a limited character selection and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The developers made the decision to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
