At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to channel a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
