Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User 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 was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from European developers received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring stellar racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a minor point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of content. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length 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 mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
