Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo 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 harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the delightful software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a notable point of contention. This compilation of retro platforming games features a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
