At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
