Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a silly annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
