Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their rankings of the best titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This compilation of retro mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
