At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, 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 "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche 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 feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration 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 past, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original experience 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
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
