Across the internet, fans are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *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 tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
