Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a minor point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to channel a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to release the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
