At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
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 expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The developers opted to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 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 universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
