COGconnected GOTY 2025 – Most Disappointing Game
It’s December now, and that means Game of the Year time! The COGconnected staff got together, laid out nominees in multiple categories, and have finished voting. This article covers our top 10 votes for Most Disappointing Game of 2025. Some of these games have niche appeal, some were overhyped, and others were just plain underwhelming. Two strong runners-up, that didn’t make the top 10, are Blue Prince and Monster Hunter Wilds. Without further ado, here are COGconnected’s Top 10 Most Disappointing Games of 2025:
10. Drag x Drive
Drag x Drive is a wheelchair basketball game developed by Nintendo. It’s ok. The offline experience lends itself better to the Switch 2 mouse controls, but the online experience is where most fun can be had. Players expect great things from first party Nintendo titles, and Drag x Drive isn’t a must-play by any stretch. It’s classic Most Disappointing material.
9. Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World was actually one of my five nominees for Game of the Year. Our reviewer scored it 90/100. The new Knockout Tour mode will likely be my preferred way to play for the next decade, but it’s still mostly the same Mario Kart gameplay base. Nintendo declared the game had so much content that they would sell it for 50% more than every other triple-A game, but they lied. Mario Kart World has the perfect amount of content for a full-priced game, but not more. Greed earned Nintendo more than one spot on 2025’s Most Disappointing list.
8. Little Nightmares 3
Little Nightmares 3 is a puzzle platformer developed by Supermassive Games. It introduces co-op to the series, but other than that, Little Nightmares 3 is more of the same. It just plays it too safe. COGconnected still gave it 80/100, but some players had higher hopes. Another classically Most Disappointing game.
7. FBC: Firebreak
FBC: Firebreak is a first-person co-op shooter from developer Remedy. It’s a good game, but it had an underwhelming launch. And a lot of Remedy games have gone on to become all-time classics, like Max Payne, Alan Wake, and Control. A decent game from a great developer is obvious for inclusion in COGconnected’s Most Disappointing Games of 2025 list.
6. Double Dragon Revive
Double Dragon Revive is a beat ‘em up developed by Yukes and published by Arc System Works. Its name promises a return to glory for the OG beat ‘em up franchise. Instead, a middling beat ‘em up with awful platforming, and harsh difficulty spikes, was delivered. Series fans should stick to the classics and Double Dragon Neon. Double Dragon Revive is one of the lower scoring games on COGconnected’s Most Disappointing Games of 2025 list.
5. Pokémon Legends: Z-A
I don’t know what Pokémon fans were expecting from Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It’s an action JRPG spin-off that looks like a budget title. Our reviewer criticized the repetitive gameplay loop, and small world. They still gave it 78/100, but Pokémon fans were hoping for something great. A disappointing entry in a major franchise is bound to end up on a list like COGconnected’s Most Disappointing Games of 2025.
4. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Nintendo greed strikes again! The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a collection of mini games, and information designed to teach Switch 2 owners about their new console. It would have been a great free pack-in title, and a gesture of good will for the beloved publisher. But they wanted money for the game, and the universal reaction was “You want to charge how much for this!?” Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is essence of Most Disappointing.
3. MindsEye
MindsEye is a third person shooter that was universally panned upon release this summer. It was described as “dull” and “not ready” upon launch. This was disappointing to many, as it was a sci-fi spiritual successor to the much more enjoyed Mafia: Definitive Edition. MindsEye wasn’t reviewed by COGconnected, but there’s a good chance it would have been the lowest scoring game in this Most Disappointing Games of 2025 list.
2. Lost Soul Aside
Lost Soul Aside is a gorgeous-looking action JRPG from a single Chinese developer. Its visuals are heavily inspired by Final Fantasy XV, and Sony put their entire marketing machine behind it. The game was delayed, and eventually released as unpolished. The combat was universally praised, but all the RPG elements, including the story and exploration, are abysmal. Lost Soul Aside was my pick for Most Disappointing game of 2025.
1. Avowed
People loved Avowed. Our reviewer gave it 93/100. It’s an action CRPG from developer Obsidian, creators of the Pillars of Eternity series. Avowed has great writing and world building. But its action RPG gameplay is just good. People won’t be talking about Avowed years from now. It’s a great game on paper, but just doesn’t have the classic qualities Obsidian is known for. Avowed is COGconnected’s Most Disappointing Game of 2025.
Do you agree with our Most Disappointing Video Games from 2025? What were your least favorite games that didn’t make our Top 10? Let us know in the comments.
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