Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a silly annoyance. This compilation of retro mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
