Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience 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 dull collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
