Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? 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 as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, 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
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
