At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of 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
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a minor annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of content. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to channel a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in production delays. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found fun in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
