Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration 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 itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a minor strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection 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 dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
