Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense 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 not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection 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 dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
