COGconnected GOTY 2025 is the most disappointing
It's December, which means it's Game of the Year time! COGconnected staff gathered, sorted candidates into several categories, and completed voting. This article looks at our top 10 votes for the most disappointing game of 2025. Some of these games have niche appeal, some have been overrated, and others are simply underwhelming. Two strong runners-up not in the top 10 Blue Prince And Wild Monster Hunters. Without further ado, here are the 10 most disappointing games of 2025, according to COGconnected:
10. Drag x Drive
Drag x Drive is a wheelchair basketball game developed by Nintendo. It's OK. The offline mode is better for controlling the Switch 2's mouse, but the online mode is where you'll have the most fun. Players expect a lot from original Nintendo games, and Drag x Drive is by no means a must-have title. This is classic Most Disappointing material.
9. World of Mario Kart
World of Mario Kart was actually one of my five Game of the Year nominees. Our reviewer gave it a score of 90/100. The new Knockout Tour mode will probably be my favorite way to play for the next decade, but it's basically the same basic Mario Kart gameplay. Nintendo said the game had so much content that they would sell it for 50% more than any other A-game, but they lied. Mario Kart World offers the perfect amount of content for a full game, but not much else. Greed earned Nintendo more than one spot on the list of the most disappointing games of 2025.
8. Little Nightmares 3
Little Nightmares 3 is a puzzle platformer developed by Supermassive Games. It introduces co-op to the series, but otherwise Little Nightmares 3 is largely the same. It's simply too safe. COGconnected still gave it a score of 80/100, but some players had high hopes. Another classic most disappointing game.
7. FBK: Firebreak
FBK: Fiery Breakthrough is a cooperative first-person shooter from developer Remedy. It's a good game, but it had a poor launch. And many of Remedy's games have become all-time classics, such as Max Payne, Alan Wake and Control. A decent game from a great developer will undoubtedly be included in COGconnected's list of the most disappointing games of 2025.
6. Double Dragon Rebirth
Double Dragon Reborn is a beat 'em up game developed by Yukes and published by Arc System Works. Its title promises a return to glory for the OG beat 'em up franchise. Instead, they released a mediocre beat-'em-up with terrible platforming and difficulty spikes. Fans of the series should stick to the classics and Double Dragon Neon. Double Dragon Revive is one of the lowest rated games on COGconnected's list of the most disappointing games of 2025.
5. Pokemon Legends: ZA
I don't know what Pokemon fans were expecting. Pokemon Legends: ZA. It's a JRPG spin-off that looks like a budget game. Our reviewer criticized the repetitive gameplay and small world. They still gave it 78/100, but Pokemon fans were hoping for something great. A disappointing game from a major franchise is sure to make COGconnected's list of the most disappointing games of 2025.
4. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Nintendo's greed strikes again! Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a collection of mini-games and information designed to familiarize Switch 2 owners with their new console. This would be a great free publication and a gesture of goodwill for your favorite publisher. But they wanted money for the game, and the general reaction was: “How much do you want to charge for this!?” The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is the essence of Most Disappointing.
3.MindsEye
MindsEye is a third-person shooter that received widespread criticism upon its release this summer. Upon launch, it was described as “boring” and “not ready”. This disappointed many as it was a sci-fi spiritual successor to the much more popular Mafia: Definitive Edition. MindsEye wasn't reviewed by COGconnected, but there's a good chance it would have been the lowest-rated game on this list of the most disappointing games of 2025.
2. Lost soul aside
Lost soul aside is a great action JRPG from a Chinese developer. Its visuals are heavily inspired by Final Fantasy XV, and Sony has poured their entire marketing machine into it. The game was delayed and eventually released as unfinished. The combat has received universal praise, but all the RPG elements, including the story and exploration, are terrible. Lost Soul Aside was my pick as the most disappointing game of 2025.
1. Recognized
People loved Recognized. Our reviewer gave it 93/100. This is an action CRPG from developer Obsidian, creator of the Pillars of Eternity series. Avowed has great writing and world building. But the action RPG gameplay is just good. In many years people won't be talking about Avowed. It's a great game on paper, but it doesn't have the classic qualities that Obsidian is known for. Avowed is the most disappointing game of 2025 according to COGconnected.
Do you agree with our most disappointing video games of 2025? What games did you like least that weren't included in our top 10? Let us know in the comments.
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