Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing colon usage is a silly point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. 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 resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
