Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong 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 garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a silly strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to release the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
