At every turn, fans are quick to share their selections of the top games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to release the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
