Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after years and years in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a rare contrast.