At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after a very long time in development hell. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
