Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists 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 the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a silly point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
