Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their selections of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that praised the polished software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. Issues included a limited character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in production delays. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack 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 well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
