At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 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 complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a silly point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience 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 vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
