Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
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 voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a silly point of contention. This collection of retro platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 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 production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes 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 unsatisfying series of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
