At every turn, fans are quick to share their rankings of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
