At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. 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 makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
