At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with stellar racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics 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 shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
