Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a notable annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price 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 nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
