Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a minor point of contention. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
