At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that praised the polished software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a minor annoyance. This collection of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
