Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to honor 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? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a notable annoyance. This anthology of retro platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
