Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the charming software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly point of contention. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of fans found fun in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
