Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, 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 driving sim from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a minor point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially negative, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
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 collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks 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 profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
