Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a minor strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.