Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with stellar racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
