Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by 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
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small character selection and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
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. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
