Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a notable strike against it. This compilation of retro platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
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 cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to release the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
