Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that praised the polished software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
