Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a notable point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after years and years in development hell. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
