Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
Select another publication »
For 5,856 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 45% higher than the average critic
  • 18% same as the average critic
  • 37% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 8 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 67
Highest review score: 100 Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Lowest review score: 10 153 Hand Video Poker
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,260 out of 5856
  2. Mixed: 2,820 out of 5856
  3. Negative: 776 out of 5856
5864 game reviews
view
per page
    • 64 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    My Time at Sandrock
    My Time at Sandrock is a decent new entry in the farm sim genre, though not one that we’d say you need to play. To its credit, its mixture of open-ended farming, crafting, socializing, and questing is compelling and could easily drive dozens of hours of gameplay if it gets its hooks in you. However, everything My Time at Sandrock does has been done elsewhere, and better. Couple this with the mess of technical problems at launch, and you’ve got a game that has its draws but does very little to demonstrate that it’s worthy of your attention. If you’ve already started and finished several farms across the likes of Stardew Valley, Harvestella, and Story of Seasons, and are looking for something new — and you're not too bothered by bland presentation and technical hiccups — then My Time at Sandrock could be a decent way to keep working the land. That said, we’d recommend you wait for a deep sale, ideally several months from now once time proves whether those patches ever come.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    WarioWare: Move It!
    WarioWare: Move It! is another great entry in this long-running franchise that brings back the motion-controlled mayhem whilst giving you plenty of ways to enjoy its loony fun with family and friends. There are lots of fun modes to dig into and unlock here, the microgames are as daft and colourful as ever, and, as long as you can make peace with things not being quite as fun solo, it's really hard to knock the chaotically silly vibe of this most excellent party game.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Star Ocean: The Second Story R
    In a year overflowing with outstanding new RPGs, Star Ocean: The Second Story R is among the very best of them. This revival of a PlayStation classic does a thorough job of mixing modern game design and artistic elements with old-school sensibilities to make for one of the most impressive RPG releases of 2023. A lengthy, player-driven story, thrilling combat system, gorgeous new visual style, and remixed soundtrack all come together to make this one of the easiest recommendations we can make to any RPG fan. If you’re even vaguely interested in picking this up, we’d encourage you to do so as soon as you can; Star Ocean: The Second Story R is comfortably the best entry in this series.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story
    Song of Nunu is yet another great addition to Riot Forge’s growing lineup of games based in Runeterra. The heartwarming relationship between Nunu and Willump carries this compelling narrative, while the linear gameplay along the way is well-paced and engaging. Though performance could be better and combat is a little simplistic, this is an all-around great game that we can easily recommend to any fans of old-school Zelda or someone looking for a high-quality, narrative-focused game that’s on the short side.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    DAVE THE DIVER
    In a year dominated by titanic, big-budget releases like Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Wonder, Dave the Diver steps up to the plate and knocks the ball clear of the park with a heaving swing. Its charming animations and writing supplement a mechanically dense experience that never stops dangling a new carrot to chase. It's one of the few games to come out this year that rivals Mario Wonder's all-out density and charm while doing something almost completely new. You owe it to yourself to pick up this outstandingly funny, enthralling, and weird gem.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    VISCO Collection
    While the Visco Collection doesn’t have high-end 3D menus or the granular wallpaper and filter options of other collections, it’s still a fun and accurately emulated series of seven solid arcade games. Appeal will vary; what’s on offer here won’t have the same arcade allure as the likes of Final Fight or Strider, despite remaining an enjoyable, varied set of titles, elevated greatly by their ability to be played online. It’s a shame, however, that Puzzle de Pon, the Vasaras, and Breakers didn’t make the cut — even if the latter two are available in other Switch collections — as they would certainly have boosted it to the next level.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Gordian Quest
    It's deeply disappointing to play Gordian Quest and encounter the amount of UI-driven issues that permeate its menus, because it has some really cool stuff going on beneath its bristly, frustrating outer shell. It's decidedly easier to pick up than most other deckbuilders, and combat has a good flow to it, with lots of combinations and deck variations to explore. Unfortunately, it's a horrendous Switch port that makes even simple things difficult. It's worth your time, just maybe not on the Switch.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
    If you've never played any of the Metal Gear Solid titles before, or indeed their MSX2 ancestors, then the Master Collection on Switch is a perfectly fine way to experience some of the most iconic games of all time. That said, Switch owners have undoubtedly been stung by Konami's decision to cut MGS 2 and 3's frame rate down to 30, and although moment-to-moment gameplay still feels satisfying, it's a frustrating approach that we're hopeful will be patched at a later date. As for the overall package, there's a lot here that will keep you entertained, but the way it's been presented feels less than ideal. Still, it's a compilation well worth investigating if you're itching to play (or replay) the Metal Gear Solid saga.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed - Ecto Edition
    While not quite the best game in the franchise, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed - Ecto Edition douses its thoroughly serviceable online 4v1 gameplay in positively charged psychomagnotheric nostalgia slime. From small touches in the visuals to snippets of dialogue, the detail and care that has gone into recreating the Ghostbusters’ world here made us forgive the occasional visual glitch and basic, predictable plot. If 'busting makes you feel good, you'll have a great time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Garden Buddies
    Garden Buddies does a sprinkling of things well, but it doesn’t excel at any one thing. At its root, the solid concept and intention is let down by its lack of depth and reward for achievements. It’s not terrible at all, but with so many other relaxing, cute games competing to calm you, we think it’s okay to give this one a miss.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Suika Game
    Suika Game is a competent and addictive little puzzler that does a great job of executing a very simple concept. There’s not a whole lot to it, but considering it's roughly the same price as a pack of gum, Suika Game is definitely worth the cost of admission. If you’re looking for a quick time waster to add to your Switch library, we’d recommend you pick it up.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Just Dance 2024 Edition
    That said, if you like Just Dance and simply must have the additional 40 songs that come with this latest package, it’s a perfectly serviceable, inoffensive experience. As we said last year, there’s nothing here that’s going to convert non-believers, and the lack of meaningful improvements with this one makes it even less of a recommendation, but the quality-of-life changes from last year remain intact, at least.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Witchy Life Story
    Despite these problems, the overall game was still fun. It was rather short, with our playthrough taking us just over the two-and-a-half-hour mark, so the issues didn't have time to grate on us. If you want to see all the endings, you'll either need to rely on auto-saves or replay the entire game. If you're a fan of visual novels and witchy games specifically, though, the gorgeous art and meditative gameplay loop are sure to outshine the issues we've highlighted. For the right people, this game will be enchanting.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos
    You most likely know that Harvest Moon has been pants for a while now, and Story of Seasons hasn't been much better. For those of us who've been burned before by Natsume's underbaked offerings, we weren't expecting greatness from Winds of Anthos. But for once, this newest game is a step in the right direction, establishing Natsume's voice at last in a crowded market. Here's hoping the next Harvest Moon goes even harder.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    CRYMACHINA
    Crymachina is like the RC Cola of action RPGs; it’ll do if you’re desperate for something to satisfy your craving, but it’d be tough to argue that it's anyone’s top choice. The so-bad-it’s-good story and fast-paced combat ultimately make this one worth the punt, but the game's overreliance on repetition wears off its sheen before too long. We’d give Crymachina a light recommendation to any fans of FuRyu’s previous work or anyone looking for a low-investment action RPG that’s all style and little substance. Crymachina is a decent outing, but you may want to wait for a reasonably deep sale on this one.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express
    Murder on the Orient Express is impressive in its ability to breathe new life into a well-trodden story. Microids Studio Lyon has found a cute gap in the story to slide in its new character, Locke, without her getting in the way. Her tense and serious segments free up Poirot for a bit of comic relief, and the whole game sits with a relaxed atmosphere and pleasant presentation. Puzzles are mixed, but there are enough good ones to drive another enjoyable trip through Agatha Christie’s classic story of mystery, justice, and moral ambiguity.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Gargoyles Remastered
    Gargoyles Remastered is an okay remaster of an okay game. Its moody 16-bit visuals and challenging difficulty will no doubt appeal to some, especially fans of the show, but its short length and often unfair design certainly hold it back from greatness. We’d say this one might be worth picking up if you can find it on a pretty decent sale down the road—it’s entertaining enough despite its shortcomings—but you’re not really going to be missing out on a ton if you choose to pass on it.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Super Mario Bros. Wonder
    Super Mario Bros. Wonder is, quite simply, the best 2D Mario game since Super Mario World. This is the slickest, sharpest and smartest that two dimensional Mario has felt since 1991 and in its Wonder Flowers, badges and online aspects, it serves up an endlessly inventive and impressive platforming adventure that we've been utterly hooked on. With local co-op and online fun adding to the replayability factor and 100% perfect performance in both docked and handheld modes, this feels like 2D Mario with its mojo back, and one of the very best platformers we've played in quite some time.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Front Mission 2 Remake
    The combat kept us from enjoying Front Mission 2: Remake due to its over-reliance on dice-roll luck to succeed, but the plot has some decent story beats if you aren’t bothered by obvious localisation errors. We did enjoy the customisation options of the Wanzers, but battles felt slow and dull when the RNG gods weren’t on our side. Just like with the first game, this one will service longtime fans of the series and its combat adequately if they can overlook this remake's rough edges.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic Superstars
    We had a few issues with Sonic Superstars — the local co-op could have greatly benefited from split-screen support, and the online Battle Mode feels incredibly shallow and tacked on — but this is the first original 2D Sonic game that feels truly authentic to the Genesis titles without aping the classic pixel-art style, and for a lot of longtime fans, that's frankly an absolute miracle. Zipping through the 12 zones in the excellent campaign made us feel like kids again, but it will also prove a great entry point for new players looking to see what all the fuss is about. Developer Arzest's reputation has taken a beating in recent years, but this is a triumphant effort from the studio and a great return for '2D' Sonic.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
    Fans of Hot Wheels will feel well served from a nostalgia point of view, and inspired by its huge number of new modes. Unleashed 2: Turbocharged combines furious arcade race challenges with childlike creativity, being able to build tracks any which way, and race them to breaking point. You can feel the Switch’s lack of muscle, with a markedly smudgier feel than the grip offered by more powerful consoles, but as a racing experience bursting with customisation, modes, and creativity to mine, it’s both an excellent successor to the 16-Bit Micro Machines legacy and sits firmly in pole position over its predecessor.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Borderlands 3: Ultimate Edition
    Though many doubted how well Borderlands 3 would work on the Switch, we’re pleased to report that this is a well-built port that effectively squeezes down almost the entirety of Borderlands 3 onto Nintendo’s handheld. The deep loot system, stable performance, goofy tone, snappy gunplay, and enormous amount of content all come together to make this one an easy recommendation, though those who prefer multiplayer may be disappointed at the diminished options here. Gearbox rightly deserves praise for the work the team put in here to make this happen; Borderlands 3 on the Switch is well worth your time.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Company of Heroes Collection
    The gameplay and tone of Company of Heroes hold up wonderfully more than two decades after its initial release, but the lack of any multiplayer options a launch makes Company of Heroes Collection feel sadly incomplete. The updated controls take some getting used to but still let you feel like a general moving their troops across the fields of Europe. Even with these flaws, though, this game is well worth investing in if you’re an RTS fan looking to step back into a classic title. Fingers crossed for the planned multiplayer update.
    • 52 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dementium: The Ward
    Dementium: The Ward is a safe Switch port that successfully replicates as much of the 2015 3DS remaster as possible while updating the controls for a more modern experience. It's a short game that does suffer from repetitive environments and dull enemy encounters, but the overarching atmosphere makes up for this in spades. If you're a fan of survival horror, there's definitely enough here to scratch an itch, and the solid performance and tight controls make this a port worth checking out.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Wild Card Football
    Wild Card Football is an ambitious take on the sport, with a decent mix of modes and pleasing depth for those keen to go all in. The offline Season mode may keep a lot of Switch players going, but once you dive into the Ultimate Team-style 'Dream Squad' you'll eventually feel the pull to take your hard-earned fantasy roster online. That's where a lack of fluidity and clarity in gameplay can really bite. A sport as frantic as American Football needs a slightly slicker performance level than we found here. However it's only just short of a first-down, so if you're happy to live with the compromises then this may still be worth a punt.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fate/Samurai Remnant
    Performance issues aside, Fate/Samurai Remnant is a hugely enjoyable action RPG that showcases a strong evolution of the very familiar Musou formula. Dynamic combat, rewarding exploration, loads of content, and an appealing art style all work in this one’s favor, though be warned that the story can get a bit too verbose at times. All the same, we’d give this one a recommendation both to anyone looking for a decent action RPG to add to their collection and to any fans of Warriors games. Fate/Samurai Remnant is well worth your time — if you can handle the performance dips on Switch.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Bug Butcher
    Presentation-wise, it’s okay, but not great. The art style harkens to Saturday morning cartoons, but the alien designs are bland and unoriginal. It’s also jarring how the enemies are generic aliens/monsters rather than resembling the titular bugs. The sarcastic dialogue between the Butcher and the Scientist gives our protagonist a little more personality and the Animal Crossing-inspired chibi sounds they make in place of words render it that bit more amusing. Overall, The Bug Butcher is enjoyable but forgettable.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    ROCKETSROCKETSROCKETS
    The strange addition of Zen mode, a pleasing aesthetic and a smooth menu interface give RocketsRocketsRockets far more personality than you’d think its generic title would afford. Simple, enjoyable matches make this a great pick to play with friends, despite a weak single-player offering.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Escape Doodland
    Despite utilising a rudimentary list of controls, the charming and irreverent tone of Escape Doodland makes it really quite entertaining and genuinely funny. The touch of having Steve shout ‘no’ in his silly high voice as the monster closes in for the kill is delightfully grim. Despite the slightly frustrating elements, Doodland ‘escapes’ the clutches of mediocrity thanks to its smooth physics, subtle wit, and memorable art style.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cocoon
    Cocoon is a fun and addictive puzzler. Its unique mechanics and gameplay had us glued to our screens, and it’s gorgeous to boot. Its lack of story is a minor disappointment, but if you love puzzles and aren't bugged by fast-paced combat, this game will be an easy favourite — even if it flies by all too quickly.
    • 48 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai
    Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai suffers from a chronic lack of focus. The vibrant visuals and fun combat can’t make up for the fact that you’ll spend hours doing little more than watching static images tell the plot of the anime. The result is a game that will frustrate action RPG fans with a lack of action and fails to do justice to the story it is trying to tell. Unless you’re desperate for a new Dragon Quest game to play, you’re better off just watching the anime and skipping this spin-off entirely.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Detective Pikachu Returns
    Detective Pikachu Returns serves up more of what delighted us the first time around, with an endearing and exciting story packed full of fun and light-hearted silliness. We really do enjoy this gruff, coffee-addled take on Pikachu, he never fails to raise a smile when he goes off on one, and the game successfully straddles a very thin line in giving us an adventure aimed at younger players that long-time Pokémon fans and ancient gamers such as ourselves can also enjoy. If you can handle the inherent repetitiveness of most of the core gameplay, alongside some rather drab visuals, you'll enjoy this one.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Super Adventure Hand
    We’ve got to hand it to Devm Games (Moving Out) for coming up with the concept. This is a joyous, eccentric platformer that’s not quite like anything you’ve played before. Though the controls can be frustrating, that’s also the point of this brief, uncannily gripping experience.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Horizon Chase 2
    Horizon Chase 2 isn't going to set the world on fire. No matter how fun it is to fly across the highway at blazing speed, no amount of speed can disguise the fairly limited breadth of content available. In fact, that speed only makes courses blur together even more. Ultimately, you're left with a fun but shallow arcade racer that feels disappointingly shaky on Switch.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Mineko's Night Market
    For the most part, Mineko’s Night Market will be enjoyed by people who like to curl up with a compelling narrative and relaxing tasks. It’s fun gathering materials and discovering secrets. And did we mention you can PAT THE CATS?! Without sneezing! What a joyous, allergy-free delight. As for whether it was worth the long wait, well, we recommend holding off a little longer for another of its nine lives – one with some patchwork to address the snags on Switch.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Gloomhaven
    Gloomhaven's gameplay is deeply challenging and dense, and it almost always manages to provide a satisfying payoff in equal measure if you are able to look past its menus and control flaws (and can stomach its load times on Switch). It isn't for the faint of heart, but those who stick with its complex, card-centric tactical gameplay will find a great strategy game.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    EA Sports FC 24
    After years of lazy, half-hearted Legacy Editions, EA Sports has finally delivered a football game on the Switch that offers full feature parity with other consoles. A much-needed engine upgrade trades frame rate for fidelity, but Switch owners finally have a port they can be proud of, rather than feeling like an afterthought.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition
    Existing fans will feel so well served by this release that there needn’t be any hesitation in picking it up. Those dipping their toes for the first time should know that it operates in a way that has aged differently to other classic first-person shooters. Whereas Doom's combat and fluidity remain free and immediate, its axis of movement more realistic and its stage layouts more controlled, Rise of the Triad functions around its own, unique design parameters, where violence and abstraction reign supreme. Learn its maps, the versatility of its weaponry, and how to make best use of its playground elements, and there’s a game here with the capacity to enthrall.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Afterdream
    If you’re looking for a quick jaunt through a beautifully haunting 2D world then Afterdream is a solid choice. While it’s a shame the game doesn’t lean into scares quite as much as we’d have liked, the atmosphere makes up for this and the puzzles should keep you engaged from start to finish.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Wargroove 2
    It isn’t often that war is a cozy affair, but Wargroove 2 manages to pull it off. We loved the game’s colourful, vibrant art and playful writing, and there is enough depth and variety in the main campaign to satisfy most tactics fans while the Conquest mode will offer an even greater challenge for those seeking it. It doesn’t change much from the previous game; it just tightens up some of the existing mechanics and adds a couple of extra wrinkles to an already great formula. It's a brilliant sequel, and yet another worthy successor to Advance Wars.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4: Bush Rescue Returns
    TY The Tasmanian Tiger 4’s return is once again a bittersweet moment for longtime fans of the Aussie video game mascot. On one hand, it’s great to see this series that's now more than 20 years old showing some signs of life with another enhanced release, but the fourth outing feels like a step back compared to TY’s best 3D adventures. There's still plenty to like about the Switch version of Bush Rescue Returns, though, especially if you embrace the level design and collecting. Here’s hoping this Aussie legend can appear in 3D for a future outing.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless
    Disgaea 7 offers up yet another enjoyable entry in the long-running series, offering up a more refined take on the famously in-depth gameplay systems. New mechanics such as Jumbification add some interesting wrinkles to the SRPG battles, while new modes like competitive ranked online bring even more playability to a game that’ll take you hundreds of hours to see to completion. Perhaps best of all, Disgaea 7 is very newcomer-friendly, though we will add that the very deliberate and measured approach to min-maxing isn’t for everyone. Whether you’re looking for an excellent new RPG to sink a lot of time into or you’ve been a fan of Disgaea since the PS2 days, Disgaea 7 is a worthwhile entry that we’d recommend you pick up when you can.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Bud Spencer & Terence Hill - Slaps and Beans 2
    Slaps & Beans 2 offers a long, adventurous campaign with a lot to see and do, and will remain a treat for dedicated fans of the duo. But, the combat, overshadowed by its novelty interludes, should be more fulfilling and less repetitive.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster
    Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is a worthwhile release, though it feels like a bit of a mixed bag. Despite some cool ideas here, both games epitomize the ‘flawed masterpiece’ while the changes and updates made for this remaster are minimal at best (though obviously welcome). This package is easy to recommend to any fans who want to venture further into Monolith’s back catalog and are looking for something a little unconventional to scratch that RPG itch. Just recognize that this isn’t something that you need to rush and play immediately and that both games are very much products of their time, with design elements that feel outdated in a modern context.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    MythForce
    Even when everything's working, MythForce isn't much more than a bad port of a fun, but uninteresting game. That being said, we can't possibly recommend it in its launch state. We don't take half-baked efforts lightly, and this feels even less than that. With some patches and updates, MythForce could potentially turn things around, although we're very far from not optimistic. As things stand, avoid the Switch version of MythForce.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Trombone Champ
    Trombone Champ is a game about perfection. Before you play, it asks you to select a stance for your tromboner: 'estudious' or 'jubilant'. Neither of these is appropriate when you know your performance will be as ear-abusive as an excited puppy mauling a bulb horn. Or are they? The true lesson is perhaps to hold your head high anyway. In life, as in Trombone Champ, faced as we all are with certain doom, be estudious if you like, be jubilant, parp like crazy, and be your very best you – no matter how imperfect that invariably is.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    F-Zero 99
    Despite its relatively unchanged look, F-Zero 99 is unexpectedly refreshing. Though it may not be the return for the franchise that fans hoped for, it's a triumphant and welcome look back at Captain Falcon's first game with a clever twist. F-Zero is simply suited for the -99 style structure in ways that Tetris, Mario, and Pac-Man aren't; it was already an elimination-style battle royale, just a small one. Adding more players doesn't just feel perfect for F-Zero, it feels natural. This isn't the definitive way to play F-Zero, but it is a brilliant take that supplements what worked so well in the original with thoughtful additions that make chasing victory utterly addictive.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Mortal Kombat 1
    Mortal Kombat 1 on Nintendo Switch manages to deliver this superb game's Story and Towers modes in a state that's playable, but only if you've got plenty of patience. There are frame rate issues, big resolution dips, input and timing problems related to performance drops, missing content, game-breaking bugs in Invasion mode, long loading times, and unresponsive menus. If you are a huge Mortal Kombat fan whose only option is Switch, you may be able to press through all of this. However, if you have any other option, we suggest you stay away from this one for now.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo
    The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo is a standout title in its commitment to presenting spectacular, surrealist animation. However, it does so at the expense of having much gameplay to offer. The playtime is short, the interaction is limited, and the puzzles are obtuse. Fortunately, the animation and music are good enough to distract you from those facts and provide an hour or two of great entertainment.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Raindrop Sprinters
    Raindrop Sprinters is as pure an arcade experience as one could wish for, its base simplicity underpinned by a deep scoring game that can be approached in a variety of ways, ultimately presenting a bottomless reflex-based affair that will wash out the impatient and reward the dedicated in a shower of euphoria. It’s not a game for everyone and will hold little appeal or longevity for the vast majority, but it does what it does well, and its construction is a little bit clever. When you reach that moment of dodging zen, where you’re weaving those drops against impossible odds, you run a real risk of just-one-more-go addiction.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Full Void
    With such a tight run time, Full Void’s ideas don’t have time to wear thin, but neither do they have chance to develop much depth. As a modern game, it’s far more player-friendly than Another World, its main inspiration, and looks and sounds fantastic. It also brings fresh ideas to the table, rather than simply retreading the old for the sake of nostalgia. However, it lacks a compelling narrative arc, which could have made it feel truly cinematic.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Summum Aeterna
    Launch instability issues aside, it may be a bit derivative, but Summum Aeterna ultimately ticks enough boxes to be worth your while. Smooth combat, tough difficulty, and an interesting seed system all come together to make this one worth investigating.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    NBA 2K24
    NBA 2K24 is less a continuation of what made the series good on Switch and more a downgrade of what has come before it. Even with how smoothly this one plays on the console, with some clean animations and a sprinkling of improvements to MyTeam being the real MVPs, all of this is overshadowed by just how watered-down this year's entry feels. With none of the new game modes making the jump to Switch apart from the disappointing Mamba Moments, a severely lessened MyCareer and a model that continues to be plagued by microtransactions and long load times, the 2K franchise on Switch has never needed more of a boost. If you are after a basketball game on the go, last year's offering is a much better option.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails
    The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is a fun action RPG that takes elements of the wider series it's based on and crafts something unique. The minute-to-minute gameplay is also engaging, although with some minor platforming frustrations here and there. While the story may be simplistic and not as politically engrossing as the mainline Trails games, the heartfelt cast of characters and side quests help flesh out its world.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Mugen Souls Z
    The good points of Mugen Souls Z are certainly there, but it does its best to keep them from you for entirely too long. With a tutorial that drags on for hours, a frustratingly repetitive plot, and walls of dialogue that feel endless, only the most dedicated fan will have the patience to enjoy the game. Unless you love grinding and crafting more than plot, this is probably one you should avoid.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Pokemon Scarlet / Pokemon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero - Part 1: The Teal Mask
    The Teal Mask is a fun diversion for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet players that builds on the base game's strengths, but also exposes its weaknesses that much more. Fortunately, those strengths sparkle and Terastalize into a breezy, fun experience that delivers some rich regional storytelling, great characters, and some fantastic new Pokémon. We wanted more, though — more love and care put into the visuals and the battles. The Indigo Disk has a chance to build on the foundations The Teal Mask has laid, and we hope that's exactly what it will do.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gunbrella
    While Gunbrella has its issues, it’s still a really fun, gorgeous-looking experience that’s definitely worth a play for any fans of the genre. You shouldn’t expect anything groundbreaking in terms of story, but can look forward to a few laughs and endearing characters. Even just messing around with the mechanics made possible by a gun that is also an umbrella should bring anyone hours of enjoyment.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Bomberman R 2
    Super Bomberman R 2 is a triumphant and feature-rich return for the explosive icon. The new Castle mode brings some interesting twists to the classic formula (though the level editor feels like it could use a little more work) while all the chaotic arcade gameplay that’s carried this series for 40 years proves to be just as compelling as it’s always been. Pair that addictive gameplay with an extensive multiplayer suite and lots of unlockables, and you’ve got something that’s easy to recommend to anyone looking for the next great multiplayer release to break out on game night. It’s a little less easy to recommend if you intend on playing entirely solo—the single-player offering is a bit thin here—but the endless replayability of the online component makes it a great pick otherwise.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    30XX
    Although it can be a bit uneven, 30XX is ultimately an enjoyable take on action platforming with a roguelite twist. The high difficulty, extreme replayability, and gorgeous visuals all come together to make for an action platformer you won’t want to miss out on. Beyond this, Mega Mode makes this one a solid recommendation even for those who don’t usually like roguelites, as it strips out most of the randomness and presents a more old-school challenge. For any fans of Mega Man, retro action platformers, or roguelikes, 30XX covers all those bases and then some, and deserves a spot in your Switch library.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    WrestleQuest
    WrestleQuest is a surprisingly wholesome game that is laser-focused on appealing to a specific demographic and will likely fail to capture the attention of anyone else. If you grew up watching the likes of Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, and Ric Flair throw each other around the ring and you also happen to love 16-bit RPGs, you’ll probably be charmed enough to overlook the repetitive combat and empty world. We certainly fall into the target demographic here, but the concept is better than its execution.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Thunder Ray
    Thunder Ray isn’t perfect, but it is very good. The feel of the blows and the creativity of your opponents are very nicely executed. It’s missing the minute precision of Punch-Out!!, but it’s close enough, and while you can occasionally win matches at higher difficulties with a certain amount of luck, you’ll get the most from the experience by mastering each opponent and earning a true sense of boxing accomplishment. Being able to toggle between difficulties and going back to previous opponents is great, and the entire thing feels polished and flashy. It could have been more elaborate, featuring more modes, and bonuses, but, as it stands, it’s a brief but solid tribute for fans of Punch-Out!! to enjoy knocking into next week.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Chants of Sennaar
    Chants of Sennaar is as defined by its peaks as its valleys. For every moment of mind-blowing, brilliant puzzle design comes an inversely frustrating moment stymied by '90s adventure game logic. The game's ability to teach a player aspects of a language is awe-inspiring, and its way of guiding players along with as little information as possible is intensely rewarding—when it works. Even though it isn't for everyone (or consistently excellent), it's constantly impressive. If you're interested, we recommend checking out the free demo for the game that's available on the eShop, which will help let you know whether or not this game might be up your alley.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fae Farm
    A gloriously thoughtful and beautiful farming game that's packed to the brim with details and charm, Fae Farm is unfortunately let down by its lacklustre NPCs and social dynamics. But with the rest of the game being so enticing, we're almost willing to let it slide. A handful of bugs, a bit of a grind, and a sinfully boring husband can't quite take the shine off this wonderful, whimsical world that's full of things to do and discover.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge - Dimension Shellshock
    This has all the charm of the base game, but with a challenging new stand-alone mode that adds quality and value. The opening challenge won't be for everyone and those early runs can be pretty unforgiving, but once you see those unlocks rolling in and with an upgrade or two under your belt, you'll soon wonder why a Turtles roguelike hasn't been on your wishlist from the very beginning. With these added bells and whistles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge is still totally tubular, dude.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Making of Karateka
    The Making of Karateka is not for everyone, and most of its appeal will lie with older gaming generations. If you’re a student of historical gaming flash points, however, it’s a package that delivers the goods, and in fine form. It doesn’t have anywhere near as much unique gaming content as Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, a fact that will limit its appeal. Despite this, the two remasters are solid, the prototypes intriguing, and the content comprehensive. If you were a fan of Atari 50, The Making of Karateka will find you well.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rune Factory 3 Special
    The real draw here is simply the ability to play Rune Factory 3 on a console that doesn’t have ‘DS’ in its name—about 90% of the experience is exactly the same as the original, and that remaining 10% doesn’t exactly cover a whole lot. Luckily, Rune Factory 3 is and always was a great farm sim/RPG hybrid, and it’s something that we can still easily recommend to new and returning players alike. That said, if you fall into the latter group, we’d encourage you to consider carefully how much you want to shell out to replay this on modern hardware. It’s a great game, but it’s effectively the same thing as your DS copy. Still, it’s good to see a return to form after the rather uneven Rune Factory 5. If you’re looking for another very solid farm sim to add to your Switch library—and you haven't played it before—this is definitely one to consider.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot: The London Case
    Hercule Poirot: The London Case delivers on its promise of a new Agatha Christie-style story in the Poirot universe. While it doesn’t have the same level of tricksy, interweaving motives and relationships as Poirot favourites, the story is entirely entertaining nonetheless. However, the game lacks polish to the extent that it’s distracting, progress is not always logical and the loading times on Switch are a real problem. For all its charm, you don’t have to be a world-class detective to see its flaws.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Anonymous;Code
    Just as the Science Adventure games posit that human perception affects reality, not every player will experience Anonymous;Code the same way. For those new to the franchise, this latest entry is an imaginative if conceptually dense sci-fi romp. For those who have played the other entries, it’s something more — a gratifying culmination of thematic and narrative strands roughly 15 years in the making. Either way, Anonymous;Code has something special to say about the universe, the soul, and video games as a medium.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope: Rayman in the Phantom Show
    As we haven’t seen Rayman on the Nintendo Switch in quite some time, Rayman in the Phantom Show comes as a disappointment – especially when compared to Kingdom Battle’s Donkey Kong Adventure. The lack of Rayman specific elements, the inability to play as Rayman in the base game, and the rehashing of old enemies and encounters, make this an adventure fit only for those that can’t get enough of Sparks of Hope’s great tactical battles.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Taito Milestones 2
    Dino Rex and Solitary Fighter aren't exactly high points, and considering they're two of three exclusives, much of the appeal of this collection depends on how many titles you may already own, and how much you want Darius II. That said, for those who are yet to dabble in Hamster's series, it's a superb slice of Taito arcade gaming that outdoes its predecessor in terms of quality and appeal, and comes through with solid emulation. There are hundreds of hours of fun to be had here with some of Taito's most deservedly celebrated works.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy
    Trine 5 hasn’t changed all that much from its predecessors, which is more of a good thing than it is bad. At its heart, this is still a gorgeous, remarkably charming, and challenging puzzle platformer that features some of the best environment design in the business. On the other hand, combat still represents a notable low point of the experience despite efforts to tweak it, but this isn’t enough of a drawback that it ruins the overall game. It goes without saying that if you liked any of the previous Trine games, you’ll love what Trine 5 brings to the table—we’d argue that this offers the most polished and honed version of the series’ traditional gameplay. Trine 5 is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a chill puzzle game of reasonable length, it’s got a lot of heart and is definitely worth your time.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Samba de Amigo: Party Central
    Samba de Amigo: Party Central brings back the cult classic monkey and all the fun that comes with him, but it does too much in the wrong places. By bombarding the player with no fewer than three different progress bars to level up in, any sense of growth, progress or leveling feels arbitrary and unnecessary. They feel like an attempt to hide the fact that Samba de Amigo is an arcade game about a dancing monkey that you can dress up in silly little outfits; it doesn't need to be an RPG, so why make it one? After all, Samba de Amigo is inherently fun—be it with maracas, a Wii remote, Joy-Con, or just buttons.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sea of Stars
    Sea of Stars is a sensational achievement for Sabotage. The studio is two for two in providing impressively designed and genuinely innovative takes on classic genres. Some pacing issues aside, the complex narrative, deep and strategic combat, thoughtful level design, and fantastic visuals and music all combine to make this one of the easiest recommendations we can make. If you consider yourself a fan of old-school RPGs, you must play Sea of Stars. And if not? The execution and polish here are so good that we’d suggest you give it a try anyway. There are few games that would be a better introduction and representation of what makes JRPGs great. Sea of Stars is an instant classic and a new high-water mark for modern retro-styled indies. You really shouldn’t miss out.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
    No matter how excellent its soundtrack or sense of momentum may be, there’s no shaking the sense that Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is in a race against its own sense of nostalgia. The game rips, but more often than not it feels like that's because Jet Set Radio ran before it. That’s not to say it’s bad, but part of what makes Jet Set Radio so fun and unique is its raw originality. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk feels like a sequel in everything but name—for better and for worse. For every banger in its soundtrack, there’s a moment of jank or a feeling that this game hasn’t left 2000. Again, it’s still a great time, but it’s lacking that lightning-in-a-bottle feel that JSR had. That’s totally fine, and for people who missed out on it, this will feel much fresher.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate
    Shotgun King does a wonderful job of setting itself apart from the veritable deluge of roguelikes available today. Its blending of classic chess principles with shooting elements and randomized gameplay makes for a fun and highly replayable experience that we’d suggest you give a shot. If you’re looking for a relatively short, addictive game that requires a bit of thinking to get the most out of, Shotgun King is undoubtedly something you should look into.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Xtreme Sports
    Alas, even with WayForward’s skilled programming and graphical artistry, Xtreme Sports remains limited. The island overworld works well, adding a charming dash of RPG-lite, and the increased challenge will keep you at the events for some time. There are purportedly more than 400 competitors to defeat, but while fun and neatly executed, the repetitive nature and limited number of sporting events means that mileage will vary in how long it holds your attention.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare
    Red Dead Redemption on Switch is a straightforward port of 2010's masterpiece with no added bells or whistles for a rather high price tag. If you can get over that, this is a game we highly recommend digging into, especially if you've yet to experience it. Rockstar's Western epic holds up surprisingly well, its story is as powerful as ever, its knockabout action still feels great, and it looks and plays perfectly well on Nintendo's console. Multiplayer has been cut, which is a sore but understandable excision, and we'd really have liked to see effort put into adding gyro controls or touching up the graphics a little, but it is what it is. This is a proper all-timer ported successfully to Switch and, if you can stump up the cash, you'll have a great time here regardless of the lack of TLC.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Blasphemous 2
    Blasphemous 2 sticks with the exquisitely dark and gory style of its predecessor whilst building on the core combat and improving upon the platforming we saw the first time around. The Game Kitchen could have served us up more of the same and we'd have been perfectly happy. However, they've made meaningful upgrades here, with deeper and more satisfying combat and three upgradable weapon sets that combine perfectly with environmental puzzling that feels more cohesive and fluid overall. The Penitent One's return to Cvstodia is an absolute banger.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
    The Tarot deckbuilding aspect is present and correct here, but the wide variety of Witches and the way their stories intertwine is where The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood really shines. Every being that you encounter has a purpose in this story, and all the threads twist together to make a truly beautiful tapestry. Being locked down narrative paths without the ability to return might not be for everyone, but it's a moot point when the story is this good — every playthrough will feel like a brand-new experience.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Vampire Survivors
    Vampire Survivors skyrocketed in popularity in 2022 for good reason. It's one of the best roguelites in recent memory thanks to its gripping gameplay loop and metagame that highjacks your mind. The Switch port only adds more to love with local co-op and updated content. It's so easy to slip into a blissful sense of flow in Vampire Survivors' Castlevania-inspired, comically named levels as its ripping soundtrack and satisfying sound design propel you into the horde that you'll surely lose track of time playing it. It's a good thing that rounds don't usually last more than half an hour.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Flutter Away
    Flutter Away is relaxing but uninspiring. It does an excellent job of setting up a peaceful atmosphere that just gives you the space to check out some butterflies, but it’s also over nearly as soon as it starts, and there’s not a ton else to do on a subsequent playthrough. If you're looking for a cozy one-and-done experience to disappear into for a bit, Flutter Away delivers before making good on its title.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Moving Out 2
    Moving Out 2 may not quite be your multiplayer forever home, but its good vibes and intricate challenges are going to cause many joyful whoops of celebration, cries of frustration, irreparably broken furniture, and wild accusations about how the hell a bookcase fell off the balcony. Sounds like coming home to us.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Quake II - Enhanced Edition
    Quake II arrives on Switch in the form of one of the very best remasters we've ever had the pleasure of digging into. With enhanced graphics and audio, refined AI, all-new animations, the iD Vault, a brand new episode, and all previously released DLC in the mix — plus the N64 version — this is an exhaustive package that Quake fans are absolutely gonna eat up. Add in crossplay support, gyro controls, and lots of co-op and competitive ways to play locally and online, and you've got an absolutely outstanding release.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Marble It Up! Ultra
    The visuals are fun and lively, and the sound design is great. The marbles sound incredibly realistic and the noise of them on ice is oddly satisfying. While the gameplay loop of this title might not be for everyone, it does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a vibrant, snappy game that offers a nice handful of content for both single players and people looking to play with friends. Super Monkey Ball fans will get a kick out of it, too.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara
    Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara isn’t exactly a bold reinvention of the 3D platformer, but it repeatedly proves that it’s got it where it counts. Smooth controls, decent level variety, and lots of collectibles all make this one a fairly easy recommendation, even if it is a little simplistic looking. If you're after 7-10 hours of solid, colourful 3D platforming, we’d suggest giving this one a shot.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Legend Bowl
    Legend Bowl is a game packed with charm; an interesting hybrid of retro style and attempts at Madden-esque depth in the playbook and mechanics. It's full of heart and raises a smile with its humour and attention to detail; sadly it doesn't convert all of these positives across the board. Performance is improved following patches but still has space to get better, while some odd design and UI choices are hard to ignore. If you can look past the flaws, which could be dealt with in future updates, there are some real merits to Legend Bowl for fans of the sport; it just needs to get over the longest yard to reach its full potential.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Adore
    It may be a little uneven, but Adore nonetheless stands out from the pack as an innovative new entry in the monster-catching RPG subgenre. The fast-paced combat, detailed team customization, and high level of replayability all make this one easy to recommend, though we say this with the qualifier that performance could be better and the gameplay loop can get pretty grindy. All the same, we’d give this one a recommendation to anyone looking for an interesting new monster catcher — it’s a welcome addition to the genre and we hope to see its ideas further explored in future games.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tiny Thor
    Tiny Thor is a well-crafted retro platforming adventure that no fan of 16-bit gaming will want to miss. Though its controls can be a tad frustrating and its difficulty can be occasionally inconsistent, there’s no denying that this a thoroughly enjoyable experience from stem to stern, especially for those who enjoy a fittingly old-school challenge. We’d give this a strong recommendation to anyone looking for another solidly built neo-retro platformer to add to their collection, though we’ll caution anyone with slower reflexes to brace yourselves for a rough time. In all the best of ways, Tiny Thor feels like a lost Sega Genesis game, easily worth your time and money.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Venba
    In Venba’s short play time, the narrative-led cooking game conveys so much of this family’s experience. The stirring story is presented in snackable chapters, each with an emotional tale tied to a dish. The puzzles aren’t too challenging, making for a comforting, cosy playthrough as you prepare each meal. Be warned though: this game will make you hungry. And it may also make you cry.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe
    PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe is a good, fairly unique idea with several interesting challenges to juggle, and, if you enjoyed the original, the expanded worlds and new additions will fulfill your craving for more recycling action. Clever though it is in premise and arrangement, however, it isn’t a very thrilling single-player game until around halfway through. If you do decide to give it a spin, you want to be online-ready, because multiplayer is where its engineering comes to the fore.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Disney Illusion Island
    Disney Illusion Island is a magnificent return to form for Mickey and friends. Though we wish that it was a bit more challenging, the excellent controls, relaxing vibes, whimsical world, and oodles of collectibles all come together to make for a cozy and enjoyable experience you won’t want to miss. We strongly recommend you pick up Illusion Island if you’re looking for another quality 2D platformer to add to your library, it’s full of that elusive Disney magic and is one of the best platformers to release on the Switch this year.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons
    Double Dragon Gaiden is beholden to some unique ideas, and they’re fairly well-applied. You can experiment with mix-ups and tag team advantages, and multiplayer makes things altogether more enjoyable, although it’s restricted to local co-op. But, being associated with Double Dragon is arguably to its detriment. It’s a game that has secrets to uncover, twists to happen upon, and plenty of cash grinding and unlocking to do. While initially fun to work through, how many times you’ll feel encouraged to replay the campaign is questionable, especially with its overall pacing and neutered thrill of brutally knee-slamming someone in the face. Still, it’s certainly worthy of attention for beat 'em up fans looking for old things in new forms.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Patrick's Parabox
    Patrick's Parabox is the rare game that's both highly challenging and highly approachable in equal measure without once dropping a beat. This is a must-play for fans of the genre — especially more logic-driven puzzlers like Baba Is You. Even if you're not the most hardened puzzle veteran, Patrick's Parabox does a great job of teaching you to solve even its most difficult puzzles thanks to a clever level structure and approachable progression system.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pokemon Sleep
    It’s really hard to put a score to a game like Pokémon Sleep. The cute aesthetic and the enjoyment of waking up to document the new Pokémon are definitely there, but the question is if the busy work of building your Snorlax each week is compelling enough to keep coming back. However, the ability for the game to basically judge your bad sleeping habits can definitely help. If Select Button and The Pokémon Company can keep the game going with frequent updates and events without falling into the mobile game trap of locking stuff behind paywalls, then Pokémon Sleep could truly be something great and it could be in the upper echelons of Pokémon mobile games.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition
    Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes – Definitive Edition is a worthwhile remake of a somewhat obscure puzzle classic. Its clever integration of light RPG elements on top of the puzzling action gives it an impressive amount of strategic depth, while the rotating cast of characters and factions offer plenty of variety in unit types and playstyles across its run. Add this to a strong multiplayer component, and you have a game that easily justifies the cost of entry. Though we were put off a bit by its difficulty spikes and the woes of RNG, this is ultimately a game that we’d give a strong recommendation to anyone looking for an interesting new puzzle game to add to their Switch library.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pikmin 4
    Pikmin 4 is a sumptuous strategy adventure that serves up tons of fun for returning fans of the franchise whilst also adding lots to entice new players into giving it a try. Oatchi is the star of the show in our eyes, a very good boy who is woven cleverly into the core of the puzzle action. Series-best dungeons, a hugely inventive overworld, night missions, Dandori battles, and post-credit goodies only sweeten the deal. Yes, the co-op is disappointing, and the campaign's not gonna be challenging enough for some diehard fans, but overall Nintendo has nailed it here, serving up a magical Pikmin adventure that we reckon could see the series finally getting all of the attention it fully deserves.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening
    Despite the graphical issues and the most bare-bones of tutorials you’ll find in a historical simulation sandbox, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening offers plenty of great moments. We loved the historical vignettes that played out as events unfolded and certain conditions were unlocked. Even on Easy mode, the game will make you surrender and start over multiple times before you can achieve Nobunaga’s dream of a united Japan. The Switch version is far from perfect, but if you're willing to work with it, there's a rich, deep, addictive strategy sim to get lost in here.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass - Wave 5
    Overall, Wave 5 is another good wave, though not a great one. Squeaky Clean Sprint, while perfectly decent fun in itself, can't quite match the heights of something like Yoshi's Island, and tracks like Moonview Highway and Sunset Wilds make us feel like Nintendo just isn't quite giving its all when it comes to this DLC. Still, the positives outweigh the negatives, and we're confident that once the final wave lands later this year, the Booster Course Pass will prove an essential purchase for Mario Kart fans.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg
    Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg is an impressively well-realized revisit to a long-lost RPG classic. What it lacks in length or complexity, it makes up for in charm and quality; this is the kind of game that you can get sucked into for an hour or two at a time without even realizing it. Its laid-back atmosphere, open-ended gameplay, and lovely visuals all combine to make this a must-buy for fans of the series, and a highly recommended title for those who want to see what Atelier is all about.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
    Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is an excellent sequel that takes the story in a significantly different direction without losing what made the original such an essential piece of storytelling. The sharper focus on fewer characters makes for a much better-paced experience without the need to juggle multiple relationships. Pacing issues do crop up if you happen to take a wrong turn but, in spite of that, Oxenfree II still provides an intriguing, suspenseful mystery that fans and newcomers will both adore. Be sure to play the original first, though.
Page:

Top Trailers

See all »
See all trailers »