At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a silly point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
