At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. 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 dull collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.