At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust 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 European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a minor point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar anomaly 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 reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames 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 dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found value in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
