At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced significant backlash from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
