Nintendo Force Magazine's Scores
- Games
For 844 reviews, this publication has graded:
-
66% higher than the average critic
-
7% same as the average critic
-
27% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 4.4 points higher than other critics.
(0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 79
| Highest review score: | Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest review score: | Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers |
Score distribution:
-
Positive: 640 out of 844
-
Mixed: 193 out of 844
-
Negative: 11 out of 844
844
game
reviews
- By Date
- By Critic Score
-
- Critic Score
If you were a video game developer and you happened to have a time machine, and for some reason you decided to use that time machine to travel specifically back to visit me on a Saturday morning around 30 years ago, and then you asked my childhood self what the perfect video game to make would be, I'm pretty sure I would have invented Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge on the spot. This game is the stuff of a young Turtles fan's dreams. [Issue #60 – July/August 2022, p. 68]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jun 28, 2022 -
- Critic Score
Buy this pair with confidence and get double the bang for your buck. [Issue #52 – May/June 2021, p. 24]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 17, 2021 -
- Critic Score
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of those rare games. It's an Ocarina of Time-level game. It is a Super Mario Galaxy-level game. This is a game that we're going to be talking about for decades to come. [Issue #27 – May/June 2017, p. 74]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 24, 2017 -
- Critic Score
Even though I'd already replayed Ori for the fifth time last year, when I heard it was coming to Switch, I wanted to run through it all over again without question! [Issue #43 – November/December 2019, p. 21SW]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 29, 2020 -
- Critic Score
Downwell is the quintessential $2.99 indie game. [Issue #38 – March/April 2019, p. 18]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 22, 2019 -
- Critic Score
Their famous friendship has endured for decades now, and it's incredible to see it immortalized in the Smash Bros. series! [Issue #42 – October 2019, p. 24]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 28, 2020 -
- Critic Score
Future Redeemed provides an amazing balance of keeping what made XC3 so phenomenal and adding in just the right number of changes. Most of all, it serves as a beautiful love letter to fans who've been with the series for the long haul, as it features some callbacks to Xenogears and Xenosaga as well! [Issue #66 – July/August 2023, p. 25]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Mar 18, 2024 -
- Critic Score
I wasn't sure how Nintendo would find a way to top their work in Breath of the Wild back when it came out, but I feel they have here – with years of more polish applied and refined exploration. [Issue #66 – July/August 2023, p. 71]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Mar 18, 2024 -
- Critic Score
This is the ultimate Smash Bros. How will they ever top it? [Issue #37 – January/February 2019, p. 65]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Feb 26, 2019 -
- Critic Score
There's never a low point. Only the desire for more. [Issue #35 – September/October 2018, p. 17]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Sep 5, 2018 -
- Critic Score
This has been a delight in a dark time in humanity's history. [Issue #48 – September/October 2020, p. 74]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Oct 26, 2020 -
- Critic Score
SteamWorld Heist is one of the best Wii U games I've ever played! [Issue #24 – November/December 2016, p.21S]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Nov 7, 2016 -
- Critic Score
This game deserves to be the new high-water mark against which all other Nintendo re-releases will be compared for years to come. [Issue #64 – March/April 2023, p. 73]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Mar 30, 2023 -
- Critic Score
A transcendent experience that will only continue to improve over time. [Issue #41 – September 2019, p. 68]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 28, 2020 -
- Critic Score
So now that he's here, is Sora a fitting addition to Smash? Honestly, very much so. Sora has been designed to be extremely accessible, with a basic sword-like moveset, and little emphasis on gimmicks like stances or meters. Don't be surprised if we see a number of Sora mains at the next big Smash tourney, especially from first-time entrants! [Issue #56 – November/December 2021, p. 17]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Nov 8, 2021 -
- Critic Score
I began XC3 knowing I'd enjoy it because of the fun I had with the previous games. What I didn't expect was for this to become one of my favorite JPRGs of all-time! With its engaging open world, engrossing combat system, loveable characters and gripping story, this game is a masterpiece of the genre! [Issue #62 – November/December 2022, p. 67]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Nov 9, 2022 -
- Critic Score
All told, this is the biggest, most well-crafted, funniest and, in some ways, most emotionally potent game from Yacht Club yet. [Issue #45 – March/April 2020, p. 20]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 1, 2020 -
- Critic Score
I came to love every decision these designers made for this somehow-still-just-his-first-time-in-3D Kirby adventure. There is so much to love here, and it's so apparent that the whole package was put together with a remarkable amount of respect for this now 30-year-old series. I encourage every Switch owner to join Kirby on this journey immediately. Go make yourself some memories in the Forgotten Land! [Issue #59 – May/June 2022, p. 73]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jun 28, 2022 -
- Critic Score
This combo package is unskippable. All Switch owners: Own this! [Issue #51 – March/April 2021, p. 69]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 17, 2021 -
- Critic Score
You've never played a puzzler like this before. [Issue #39 – May/June 2019, p. 27]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 28, 2019 -
- Critic Score
Fire Emblem Echoes is the most refreshing installment in the series to date and another vital addition to the 3DS library. [Issue #28 – July/August 2017, p. 71]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jun 23, 2017 -
- Critic Score
A worthy 25th anniversary release for an iconic series. [Issue #28 – July/August 2017, p. 75]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jun 23, 2017 -
- Critic Score
There's little I would change about the River City Girls. I just hope this isn't their last dance! [Issue #42 – October 2019, p. 22]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 28, 2020 -
- Critic Score
ElecHead is a spectacularly simple, immensely engaging puzzler and platformer. [Issue #63 – January/February 2023, p. 20]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Dec 22, 2022 -
- Critic Score
If you ever need to entertain a room full of young kids, download Donut County. [Issue #38 – March/April 2019, p. 21]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 22, 2019 -
- Critic Score
This game has become my favorite Dragon Quest ever, one of my favorite JRPGs ever and certainly one of the best games you can buy and play on the Switch. [Issue #43 – November/December 2019, p. 8SH]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 29, 2020 -
- Critic Score
I can only hope that its sales success will lead to a patch that fixes the framerate dips, and more importantly, the development of more Zelda games in this style. [Issue #43 – November/December 2019, p. 10SH]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 29, 2020 -
- Critic Score
An experience so sublime doesn't need much in the way of fancy trappings to reach a new audience, only new opportunities. [Issue #38 – March/April 2019, p. 75]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 22, 2019 -
- Critic Score
Pokémon Sun & Moon aren't absolutely perfect – but they are absolutely amazing, and I'm perfectly prepared to argue that they now represent the best generation the series has ever seen in its 20-year history. [Issue #25 – January/February 2017, p.66]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jan 4, 2017 -
- Critic Score
Pokémon Sun & Moon aren't absolutely perfect – but they are absolutely amazing, and I'm perfectly prepared to argue that they now represent the best generation the series has ever seen in its 20-year history. [Issue #25 – January/February 2017, p.66]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jan 4, 2017 -
- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 25, 2018 -
- Critic Score
Blossom Tales has enjoyed a lot of success on Switch, and it deserves it all. [Issue #37 – January/February 2019, p. 23]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Feb 26, 2019 -
- Critic Score
When it peaks, all of Tetris Effect: Connected's separate parts meld together and your mind melts away. It's the most feel-good, fully featured and fun version of Tetris to date. Get your brain on Tetris and feel the bliss! [Issue #57 – January/February 2022, p. 23]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Mar 7, 2022 -
- Critic Score
You could say that We Love Katamari did for its predecessor what Tears of the Kingdom did with Breath of the Wild: It expanded on everything that made its prequel unique, while cementing its signature series' style for the foreseeable future. [Issue #66 – July/August 2023, p. 75]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Mar 18, 2024 -
- Critic Score
These four games are more than worth $20 alone. [Issue #35 – September/October 2018, p. 64]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Sep 5, 2018 -
- Critic Score
If you enjoy the thrill of Kongquest – er, conquest – over a worthy challenge, this game should satisfy. [Issue #34 – July/August 2018, p. 74]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Sep 5, 2018 -
- Critic Score
A symphony of swinging and soaring. It sings! [Issue #35 – September/October 2018, p. 18]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Sep 5, 2018 -
- Critic Score
One of the best multiplayer experiences on the Switch – if not the best! [Issue #35 – September/October 2018, p. 24]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Sep 5, 2018 -
- Critic Score
Boldly experimental, but still fiercely dedicated to the masterful execution of 2D action/exploration genre essentials. [Issue #23 – September/October 2016, p.28]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Sep 7, 2016 -
- Critic Score
Axiom Verge 2 is amazing. Many have tried to make games that can work as light entertainment and heavy, honest stories about their own lives at the same time. Few have succeeded as well as this one. [Issue #55 – October 2021, p. 19]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Oct 7, 2021 -
- Critic Score
Almost anything is possible in Minecraft: Wii U Edition. [Issue #19 – January/February 2016, p.21]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Feb 4, 2016 -
- Critic Score
No More Heroes III is a violent action game, an open-world do-gooder sim, a dorky dad story and a tribute/parody of "popcorn classic blockbusters" all in one. [Issue #55 – October 2021, p. 67]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Oct 7, 2021 -
- Critic Score
SteamWorld Heist is easily the best 3DS eShop game I played in 2015, and one of the best 3DS games I've played, period. [Issue #19 – January/February 2016, p.26]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Feb 4, 2016 -
- Critic Score
I still have not seen nearly all there is to see in Xenoblade Chronicles X even after two months of playing it. [Issue #19 – January/February 2016, p.73]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Feb 4, 2016 -
- Critic Score
Was it worth the wait? Thanks to the developers' dedication and tireless efforts: absolutely. [Issue #16 – July/August 2015, p.30]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Sep 30, 2015 -
- Critic Score
Even without any Dragon Quest familiarity, The Hero is a total blast to play in Smash. And you can be sure Mr. Sakurai got his depiction just right! [Issue #41 – September 2019, p. 16]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 28, 2020 -
- Critic Score
Lunistice offers an awful lot of excellence for an awfully low price. It's an incredible value even if you were to zip through the whole thing in the span of a single weekend. [Issue #64 – March/April 2023, p. 32]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Mar 30, 2023 -
- Critic Score
There's no shortage of good 2D platforming on the Wii U, but Good-Feel has managed to tailor one of the very best games on the console. [Issue #16 – July/August 2015, p.70]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Sep 30, 2015 -
- Critic Score
Years from now, when the Nintendo fans of the future are making lists of the top Kirby games ever made, you can bet that Planet Robobot will be ranking at – or at least very near – the top. [Issue #22 – July/August 2016, p.70]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jul 11, 2016 -
- Critic Score
If you've never played an Atari game, there's no better place to start. No video game company could have possibly asked for a better celebration of their history. Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is a masterpiece, and everyone who has any interest in the history of the video game industry owes it to themselves to give it a go. [Issue #64 – March/April 2023, p. 67]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Mar 30, 2023 -
- Critic Score
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit has brought my sons more smiles than any other toy I've ever bought them. [Issue #49 – November/December 2020, p. 63]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 28, 2021 -
- Critic Score
Cuphead was already a landmark in video game art and animation on top of being an expertly balanced tribute to the arcade shooters of yesteryear. Studio MDHR nailed the formula right out the gate and sought only to give fans more of what they loved in the form of a "delicious last course" to satisfy any lingering cravings. If this is truly the end of the Cuphead ride, what a high note to leave on! [Issue #61 – September/October 2022, p. 28]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Nov 9, 2022 -
- Critic Score
Perhaps no past Mario game has ever elicited so many smiles as this, and even if every other winning aspect of its design were set aside, that reality alone would make it a masterpiece. [Issue #31 – January/February 2018, p. 39E]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jan 7, 2018 -
- Critic Score
The grand finale of Wave 4 is a bold, brand-new Yoshi's Island! It's an incredible original track that is a complete homage to the 1995 SNES classic, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. It manages to fit references to dozens of iconic characters and locations from that 16-bit masterpiece into its loop, and it's honestly the best such track Nintendo has ever made! It's pure delight from end to end for anyone who's ever played that game. [Issue #65 – May/June 2023, p. 24]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Mar 30, 2023 -
- Critic Score
There may be too much content here for busy adults to tackle! I don't know when I'm going to find the time to do full playthroughs of the other two Houses that I didn't choose to begin with! [Issue #41 – September 2019, p. 74]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 28, 2020 -
- Critic Score
I expected that I'd like Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. – what I didn't expect was to love it. This is a game that fires on all cylinders right from the start and never lets up – it's seriously challenging, charmingly funny and packed with entirely new design ideas every step of the way. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a triumph. [Issue #14: Old vs. New – March/April 2015, p.68]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 20, 2015 -
- Critic Score
If you missed it the first time around, the Switch is a great place to play this truly fantastic game. [Issue #32 – March/April 2018, p. 20]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Feb 26, 2018 -
- Critic Score
Each of these games is an excellent individual effort and would be well worth revisiting alone. All together, for the equivalent of a few bucks apiece, the value is incredible! [Issue #56 – November/December 2021, p. 28]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Nov 8, 2021 -
- Critic Score
If you haven't played Undertale before, you will want to pick this Switch version up to experience what everyone's talking about for yourself. [Issue #36 – November/December 2018, p. 17]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Oct 29, 2018 -
- Critic Score
A near-perfect dayglow samurai dream. [Issue #36 – November/December 2018, p. 20]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Oct 29, 2018 -
- Critic Score
It remains one of the premier experiences in all of gaming! [Issue #36 – November/December 2018, p. 22]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Oct 29, 2018 -
- Critic Score
A total package that's much less of an acquired taste than the first. [Issue #51 – March/April 2021, p. 17]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 17, 2021 -
- Critic Score
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is just a joy, and I'm so thankful that I took a chance on it. [Issue #36 – November/December 2018, p. 87]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Oct 29, 2018 -
- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 27, 2015 -
- Critic Score
Basically Dance Dance Revolution for your thumbs. [Issue #51 – March/April 2021, p. 21]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 17, 2021 -
- Critic Score
It's an auto-runner (surprise!), but unlike others in that genre, it has a definitive end. [Issue #51 – March/April 2021, p. 21]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 17, 2021 -
- Critic Score
In terms of bang for your buck, this DLC is a power-slam dunk! [Issue #44 – January/February 2020, p. 21]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 30, 2020 -
- Critic Score
Maniac Mansion came first, and Monkey Island is more famous, but Thimbleweed Park is the finest, most thoughtful Ron Gilbert game yet. [Issue #30 – November/December 2017, p. 22]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Oct 30, 2017 -
- Critic Score
The hype is real: Sonic Mania is the best Sonic the Hedgehog game since the Genesis days. [Issue #29, p. 17]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 24, 2017 -
- Critic Score
BOXBOY! + BOXGIRL! is a fantastic continuation for this not-so-finished-after-all franchise. [Issue #40 – July/August 2019, p. 24]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Feb 27, 2020 -
- Critic Score
Run, don't walk. Visit the valley and lose yourself in nature like millions of other fans have! [Issue #30 – November/December 2017, p. 26]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Oct 30, 2017 -
- Critic Score
The SteamWorld just keeps on picking up more and more steam. I can't wait for what's next! [Issue #40 – July/August 2019, p. 29]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Feb 27, 2020 -
- Critic Score
This is the perfect Pikmin package. [Issue #50 – January/February 2021, p. 66]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 5, 2021 -
- Critic Score
Cuphead is such a masterclass in style and control that the few errant ink blots vanish in a Technicolor wonderland! [Issue #40 – July/August 2019, p. 30]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Feb 27, 2020 -
- Critic Score
Samus Returns is a great comeback for our favorite heroine. [Issue #30 – November/December 2017, p. 71]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Oct 30, 2017 -
- Critic Score
If you're a fan of mysteries in any media, The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is absolutely worth your time. Its gameplay is engaging. Its presentation is engrossing. And I hope I've made enough of a case for it here for you to want to try it out! [Issue #60 – July/August 2022, p. 25]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jun 28, 2022 -
- Critic Score
Ever Oasis is an elegant masterpiece of an adventure that excels at combining so many concepts and ends up crafting a truly fabulous 3DS game. [Issue #29, p. 75]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 24, 2017 -
- Critic Score
All in all, I'm amazed. [Issue #40 – July/August 2019, p. 73]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Feb 27, 2020 -
- Critic Score
All in all, Death's Door is itself quite a Shiny Thing. [Issue #58 – March/April 2022, p. 19]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 13, 2022 -
- Critic Score
If you haven't heard anything about Spiritfarer and you enjoy amazing narratives filled with varying emotions coupled with light platforming and farming/crafting simulation, then drop everything and go buy this game! [Issue #58 – March/April 2022, p. 20]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 13, 2022 -
- Critic Score
Persona 5 Strikers proves to be a beautiful and worthy sequel to the original game, with the cast, story and combat all shining in old and new ways. [Issue #52 – May/June 2021, p. 67]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 17, 2021 -
- Critic Score
Bravely Default II is one of the Switch's best RPGs, and that's not small praise for an RPG on a system that's already home to some of the genre's best. [Issue #52 – May/June 2021, p. 69]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 17, 2021 -
- Critic Score
The best reason to subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online right now! [Issue #39 – May/June 2019, p. 21]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 28, 2019 -
- Critic Score
Skunkape has really delivered on the goods here, folks. They've taken one of the best modern adventure games and updated it to something far beyond its former glory. [Issue #58 – March/April 2022, p. 23]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 13, 2022 -
- Critic Score
If worse comes to worst and we face the actual end of human civilization here on planet Earth, don't worry! You'll be able to book passage off-world – you just need to happen to be one of the most disgustingly rich people alive. Then you'll be all set! [Issue #58 – March/April 2022, p. 24]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 13, 2022 -
- Critic Score
One of the most stunning spectacles on the Switch. [Issue #52 – May/June 2021, p. 71]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 17, 2021 -
- Critic Score
As a finale, Trails of Cold Steel IV sticks the landing on almost all fronts, and shows Falcom's dedication and ambition in weaving an overarching narrative throughout the Trails games. [Issue #52 – May/June 2021, p. 75]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 17, 2021 -
- Critic Score
BOXBOY! is just so pure, so perfect a puzzler that I wish it had existed way back when, so that in some alternate timeline I would have been able to play decades' worth of sequels to it by now. It's that good. [Issue #15; May/June 2015, p.25]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 27, 2015 -
- Critic Score
This really does feel like a big step forward for a series that famously plays things safe, and I'm excited to see where the franchise will go next! [Issue #58 – March/April 2022, p. 72]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 13, 2022 -
- Critic Score
If this is indeed Qbby's final quest, then it's been a fine finale. [Issue #28 – July/August 2017, p. 18]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jun 23, 2017 -
- Critic Score
It's such an incredible experience that you should do absolutely everything you can to see every last hour of it. [Issue #15; May/June 2015, p.73]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted May 27, 2015 -
- Critic Score
Wargroove is a safe bet even in the face of other more prominent franchises. [Issue #39 – May/June 2019, p. 28]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 28, 2019 -
- Critic Score
Fans wanted Unravel Two on Switch and they got it. While it took some patience, the wait was certainly worth it. [Issue #39 – May/June 2019, p. 30]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 28, 2019 -
- Critic Score
Play Deltarune . . . or don't. Then again, your choices don't matter in this world! [Issue #39 – May/June 2019, p. 31]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 28, 2019 -
- Critic Score
Pure fanservice for a great game you may or may not have played if you don't also own a PS4. [Issue #39 – May/June 2019, p. 32]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 28, 2019 -
- Critic Score
Cave Story, I now know, is considered a classic for good reason! [Issue #28 – July/August 2017, p. 23]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jun 23, 2017 -
- Critic Score
If ARMS is where Nintendo is beginning their first-party efforts for the all-new Switch generation, then I can't wait to see how this system's entire game library is going to look years from now! [Issue #28 – July/August 2017, p. 67]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Jun 23, 2017 -
- Critic Score
This colorful escape couldn't have come at a better time. [Issue #43 – November/December 2019, p. 23SW]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 29, 2020 -
- Critic Score
Give the original DOOM a go first and finish every episode. Then, if you find yourself wanting more, grab DOOM II. [Issue #42 – October 2019, p. 20]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Apr 28, 2020 -
- Critic Score
I'm in constant awe at the sheer number of choices available and I'm always searching for that perfect move – even if it doesn't truly exist. [Issue #38 – March/April 2019, p. 19]- Nintendo Force Magazine
Posted Aug 22, 2019
