Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response 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 harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a severe lack of features. User reviews was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics 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, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
