At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the charming software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted 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-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
