Nintendo Insider's Scores

  • Games
For 947 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 53% higher than the average critic
  • 8% same as the average critic
  • 39% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.6 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
Lowest review score: 10 Woodle Tree Adventures Deluxe
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 42 out of 947
951 game reviews
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The lack of Wii-like motion controls hurts this release, as it means this isn’t the best way to play the game. However, the fact you can play it on the go for the first time is probably the next best thing. If you have somehow managed to miss playing this title in the past 15 years, then go ahead and add another point to the score, as those that have played the many re-releases over the years won’t be quite as impressed as they once were. Having said that, Resident Evil 4 is and forever will be, one of the greatest video games ever made.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Its lineup maintains to be solid enough and there are various in-game options with savestates, screen orientations, a reply mode, and so on. It’s just a shame that there isn’t a dedicated music gallery to rock out to, for the Castlevania series has some of the best soundtracks in gaming history. It’s all fairly priced though, and with future version additions and an impressive legacy, the Castlevania Anniversary Collection is another welcome boost to Nintendo Switch’s ever-expanding retro library.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Puyo Puyo Champions feels like a game built with serious fans of the series in mind. Those looking for a gateway into this color-matching puzzler may want to try the far more content-full and approachable Puyo Puyo Tetris. If however, you’re merely after a cheap, multiplayer-focused, no-frills version of Puyo Puyo then Champions delivers.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Aggelos is a lovely sweet spot for those looking for a bite-size experience which delivers quality in almost every aspect. It looks and sounds wonderful in both handheld and on a big screen. While the difficulty of old may not appeal to all, the game does a great job of making you feel like you worked hard to win and learn from defeat. Aggelos feels ageless, which is a truly lovely thing to experience.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Type:Rider takes a subject many might consider fairly humdrum and turns it into a beautiful journey through time. Had the platforming been as memorable as the visuals then this could have been something truly special. Instead what you have is a unique idea that needs more focus on the actual gameplay.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Whilst it is not the perfect game, it is great to have Mortal Kombat back on Nintendo. Sure, the visuals are not up to par with other versions of the game, but we did not expect it to be. The always-online barrier of certain modes is what hurts the Switch version more than anything else, as you lose a lot when you are on the go. Strip away all of the extras though, if you are just here to fight, then this is the game for you. Mortal Kombat 11 is the best pure fighting game on the Nintendo Switch.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It’s far from perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but for what it is there’s definitely plenty of addictive gameplay here if your willing to put the effort in.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Even after all these years, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is still an incredible game. The amount of content provided, and the freedom offered to the player remains unrivaled. The Switch has been graced with a lot of quality releases in 2019 and Capcom’s latest can join the ranks of the best of them. If you are looking to take an epic adventure on your Switch, then look no further than Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen. It has legendary battles against mythical beasts, an amazing combat system, loads of content, and is available at a budget price.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! is yet another joyous outing for the series packed with content sure to please newcomers and returning fans alike. Its core gameplay may not have evolved much since the original 3DS trilogy but the addition of co-op takes things in an interesting direction that feels perfectly suited for the Switch and leaves me excited to see where HAL Laboratory take Qbby next.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    As fantastic as some of these classics are, Konami’s Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection is barebone in features and presentation. Its price point isn’t too bad though and fits the Nintendo Switch nicely alongside the other classic compilations already on the system. Other than that, you could always play and compare the original Gradius with the Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online app as a reminder of how good of a port that version really was.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    No, it’s not original and the writing is a bit rubbish, but I can’t fault the game itself.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Picross S3 is not only the biggest overall package the series has seen so far but also the most consistently enjoyable. While I don’t think I’ll ever be savvy enough to tackle the intimidating Mega Picross, the 150 new standard puzzles, the return of Clip Picross and the addition of the excellent Color Picross ensure you’ll be kept busy for months to come.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech was a title that I was eagerly anticipating, given the developer’s track record with the SteamWorld series, and the result exceeded my expectations. It is incredibly clever and it is clear that plenty of thought has been put behind each aspect. Not only is this the best title in the SteamWorld series, but it is also one of the best RPGs of any kind currently on the Switch. I simply could not put it down.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Mindball Play is an interesting mash-up as it takes the arcade-racing genre and injects an intriguing physics system that helps give the action its own unique flavor. A short but challenging single-player campaign entertains while the local multiplayer proves to be the true star of the show. If you’re looking for something beyond Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (the game has been out for roughly two years now) then Mindball Play is definitely worth checking out.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Katana ZERO may only last for a fist full of hours, but those hours had me rip-roaring into a frenzied dance of crimson in a formidable underworld of conspiracy, confusion, and grime. The cool ways in how the game takes a simple combat system and varies up the formula is something you really would have to see for yourself. If you’re like me and were in awe at watching Colin Firth during that infamous church scene in Kingsman, or that incredible choreography of Oh Dae-Su’s hammer scene in Oldboy, then get ready to go excommunicado and be sure not to leave anyone left standing.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dragon Marked For Death is an exceptional co-op 2D action-RPG that struggles to provide the same high-quality entertainment when played solo. While solo play is satisfactory, it is a game that encourages multiplayer. If you plan to play the entire game on your own, be cautioned that the experience can become repetitious. Conversely, if you happen to have a few friends that plan to buy or already have the game, then Dragon Marked For Death will provide many hours of entertainment.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Strikey Sisters is a good fun game, just in a very classic way. There are no frills to speak of, nor does there need to be. It harks back to the olden days of gaming in a very satisfying way and the combination of visuals and the soundtrack make for a good time all around. The co-op gives it a bit more in terms of replayability too. It is definitely worth a look, and it isn’t as creepy as the name suggests.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cuphead is a creative masterpiece and a game that rightly deserves to be long remembered as an all-time great. It delivers a riotous gameplay experience that will delight, astound, and frustrate in equal parts, woven into a relentlessly breathtaking and meticulously crafted cartoon world. It can certainly start to feel cruel at times, especially after spending a lengthy session failing to beat one boss, but, now having the chance to play on the move with Nintendo Switch, it’s found the perfect home for players to overcome such a challenge.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a formidable concoction of beauty and psychological horror that’s often marred with a frequent claustrophobic sense of frustration. The rather cumbersome puzzle feature set in place would be something that I would usually consider as a weak link within a cast iron chain. Yet, to the developer’s credit, they have completely enforced exactly what they set out to do, sending my mind into a kaleidoscope of emotions that metaphorically ride across the five stages of grief.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Nuclear Throne is an absolute blast whether you’re kicking off your very first handful of runs or attempting your hundredth. The action is intense, the pace rapid and the difficulty tough but rewarding. We may be spoilt for choice when it comes to indie gems but Nuclear Throne is one you shouldn’t pass up on.
    • 71 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    The Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit is nothing less than a cardboard marvel through which Nintendo has delivered an affordable and content-rich introduction to the world of virtual reality. We’re four Nintendo Labo kits in now, and, after the equally brilliant Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit, the build-and-play concept – which wonderfully blends physical and digital activities – continues to maintain its rubber band-strung stride. That only leaves me wondering about what cardboard contraptions will come next.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    On the whole, I really did enjoy my time with AngerForce: Reloaded and I feel that it’s a great entry point for those who have a curiosity in the genre. Whipping out a stronger set of skills gained from the last run in the campaign provides a satisfying sense of power, making you feel forever outnumbered but never outgunned.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy has been charged on the counts of – highly entertaining and delivering players with a trio of excellent games. On these charges, the court finds the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy guilty. Capcom has also been found guilty on the lesser charge of providing players with three games for an affordable price and for offering gamers a great value. The judge has sentenced the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy to be classified as one of the Switch’s best early 2019 releases.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Unravel Two is a short but sweet little adventure that makes interesting use of its two yarn-crafted characters. While playing the game alone is still an enjoyable option, its focus on light puzzling is definitely more fun when tackled with another player. A visually impressive and charming treat.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    To put it bluntly, Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid is pretty much a proof of concept that should have been pitched for a crowdfunding campaign. If anything, the fact that it’s halfway decent makes me feel uncontrollably angry inside. There’s a part of me that wishes this was simply a terrible game through and through. Now, I can’t help but pine for a good, big budget Power Rangers fighting game with bright camp colors and horrifically acted cutscenes. Damn you nWay, for reigniting my childhood with such genuine potential. I’m left feeling like I have been gifted a cool Power Rangers toy from a charity shop that’s missing most of its pieces.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If you happen to have the change to spare, do yourself a favor and recruit yourself into the war against the machines. It may not have the usually expected run-and-gun Metal Slug action to fill the gap between boss fights, but when those boss fights are this good it doesn’t really need them.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Turok has aged quite a bit, which is natural. Therefore, it’s not going to be for everyone. A 22-year-old FPS never will, because it’s a genre that has moved on massively over time. However, for those that want a blast from the past, you will still love it just as much as you did back then. If you have never played Turok before and you want to experience a game that genuinely advanced the shooter genre when it first released, while you are obviously not going to feel the same love for it, you will still have tons of fun as it is still a very enjoyable shooter.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Darksiders Warmastered Edition remains as gloriously apocalyptic an adventure on Nintendo Switch as it ever was. With the added chance to battle Heaven and Hell whenever and wherever you like, it comes as an easy recommendation. Not only does it have an impulse purchase-inducing budget price point, but, especially for those that haven’t played it before, it will scratch that Zelda itch until Link’s next adventure arrives.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    I’ve made my way through a wide and varied range of puzzlers in my many years playing video games but Baba Is You easily ranks as not only one of the cleverest but also one of the most rewarding. Whether you’re into logic-based puzzles and after a challenge or just in the market for something truly unique for your Switch, Baba Is You delivers a remarkable albeit sometimes too punishing experience. Reviewer Is Impressed.

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