At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry 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 title grammar is a minor point of contention. This anthology of retro mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin character selection and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
