At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? We'll 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 truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response 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 some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
