Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that praised the charming software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to channel a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
