Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year filled with excellent racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
