At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a dearth of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers opted to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
