Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *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 poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
