Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of features. User reviews was particularly negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
