Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a notable strike against it. This compilation of retro mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to channel a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after years and years in production delays. The developers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
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, based on critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
