At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the delightful software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced significant backlash from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was especially harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length 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 past, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
