Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User 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 bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
