At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that praised the charming software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a silly annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
