Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? Let's take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience 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 team behind it opted to release the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
