Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a notable strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length 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, finally released after years and years in development hell. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.