Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that praised the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
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 nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted 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 action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
