Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered significant backlash from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics 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 digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
