At every turn, fans are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the failures? We'll take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's 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. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense 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 tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User 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 dull series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
