Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
For 5,862 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 Horace
Lowest review score: 10 Lawnmower Game: Racing
Score distribution:
5870 game reviews
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Although certainly designed to be disorienting in terms of its visuals, Krimson’s levels can be a tad too difficult to parse at times, with safe platforms and deadly obstacles often blending into one another. This is exacerbated by the swirling, gooey textures on every surface, along with strobe effects that briefly come into play upon death. It’s a lot to take in and the game never lets up, so we often found ourselves wanting to put it down for a little while just so our senses could have a little break. We appreciate the artistic intent, but some accessibility features to perhaps tone down the effects or better highlight certain platforms would be most welcome.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While it might prove too basic for more advanced players, younger players and families should have a fun time questing with dog and human. Big fans of the show, of course, should not feel so afraid to give this one a try, either.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Those waiting for a an actual tennis game will not find an interim solution here. Despite tennis being 'in the face' regarding its presentation here, it's another single screen, physics-based puzzle destroyathon. It is also, however, vibrant, fun, funny and chaotic. The main character is a likeable amalgamation of both tropes and celebrities from the sport, and while the mechanics are pretty well worn in by now - especially in the mobile space - Tennis In The Face is probably among the top seeds in its genre on Switch. If you are over this kind of game it won't change your mind, but it's a well presented and addictive slice of structure (and tie) breaking action.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Shock Troopers may not add much to the top-down run-and-gun genre but it's enjoyable while it lasts. The visuals weren't particularly awe-inspiring back in 1997, but everything moves at a slick pace and neat elements of humour prevent things from becoming too serious. In single player you might get a week or so of play out of this, but with two people involved it becomes a lot more appealing - and thanks to those detachable Joy-Cons, co-op sessions are easy to arrange. Shock Troopers 2nd Squad may be considered the superior release, but the original is still worth checking out if you like your old-school arcade blasters.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    SnowRunner is an interesting truck driving game where the environment is your opponent. As long as you can put up with its audio and visual issues and understand that it's an extremely slow-paced game, the rewards for sticking with it are worthwhile.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A highly original puzzle-platformer with a compelling body-manipulation mechanic at its heart. Helheim Hassle's particular sense of humour and occasionally fiddly controls might make you bristle from time to time, but you'll keep plugging away thanks to its inspired mechanics and varied challenges.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    RPG Maker MV on Switch is a stripped back and limited version of its PC counterpart that removes the ability to integrate your own custom elements as well as the use of plugins. There's also very little in the way of help or tutorials and the UI can be clunky and slow to navigate. However, if you can make peace with these limitations, what's here is still a vast, hugely flexible bit of game-making software that provides those with the patience to get to grips with its systems almost limitless potential for RPG-making fun. We can't wait to see what players come up with over the coming weeks and months ahead and the free RPG Maker MV Player means that all Switch owners get to share in the fun and perhaps be inspired to join in down the line. If you're hugely serious about RPG making you may do best to stick to the PC version, but, if you just want to have some creative fun within the limits of the assets provided here, you'll have a blast.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    With a total of 23 playable games alongside a comprehensive interactive documentary providing detail behind the series' development, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is yet another triumph for Digital Eclipse from the historical compilation perspective. It's full of nostalgia for fans who ripped spines out of their opponents back in the '90s, and the perfect way for complete newcomers to see what all the fuss is about. If, however, you're keen to play these games online, then you're best off waiting. Essential features are absent at launch, and even if you do manage to find a game through Quick Play, chances are it'll be plagued with input delay and audio issues.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dr. Mario looks great, sounds great and plays great, just like the original did 18 years ago, and the inclusion of online multiplayer adds value.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There’s plenty to like in Rendering Ranger R2, and if you learn it thoroughly it's twice as rewarding. Turrican fans will love it, and the shoot-'em-up stages look great, even if they’re a tad Euroshmuppy in places. The hybrid is a novel idea, and the weapons system and perpetual bomb recharges bring variety to the table. It’s not as good as Contra nor Thunder Force, but it’s certainly an enjoyable action game in its own right, despite the odd niggling annoyance.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Yes, it's unoriginal, but Bloo Kid always has a smile on his face while jumping on those generic enemies and at least the inspiration is coming from the right places. Give him a chance, he's trying his best.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's not been the smoothest of journeys to release for Dimension Drive, and nor will yours be through its initial twelve stage campaign, but it is a polished and engaging shooter that asks more of each player. This is definitely not a 'turn your brain off at the door' kind of bullet hell experience, but it's worthy of the effort. Failure will be frequent, and frustratingly so in the early stages, but it's not cheap and beating a section or level never feels unattainable. There is a specific type of coordination required that will take time to perfect, and for some it might overwhelm, but Dimension Drive is a game that can be as rewarding as it is demanding.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    For fans of Angry Birds who are looking for a change of pace, or anyone who is craving a bit of relaxing fun, this castle is definitely worth crushing.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Waifu Uncovered has a laser-focused target audience and it caters perfectly to that audience. If you fall outside of that demographic, how much you’ll enjoy this game will depend entirely on your receptiveness to hand-drawn, mildly lewd pinup-style art and puerile humour coupled with solid shoot ‘em up action. It perhaps lacks a little longevity besides chasing high scores on the online leaderboards — but if you’re looking for a quick fling with an affordable game you don’t have to think too hard about, this is a great palate-cleanser for when you’re between more substantial experiences.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Data East may not have had the golden touch when it came to making arcade games, but they certainly had a few gems in their catalogue, which Data East Arcade Classics does a good job of sampling.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As the first Picross game available on DSiWare, Animal Color Cross is a very solid pick for anybody craving more grid-checking action. For just 500 Nintendo Points you're getting something half the size of a previous retail game, which is obviously a great deal.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    ATOMINE delivers a solid albeit somehow mundane interpretation of the twin-stick shooter that will still satisfy those with cravings for something new within the realm of the genre but will probably not convert any newcomers to the format. We still give it a recommendation despite feeling that while polished, its premise might have allowed for a more extravagant visual experience. Hack away humble little program, hack away.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Boulder Dash-XL 3D gets the basics right, providing a modern twist on an '80s classic, as well as retro content for the older generation, and throwing in a large number of levels to dig through. It's a one-track experience, however, with poorly implemented 3D, and feels like it should be one of the 3DS eShop's costlier downloads, rather than a budget retail title that costs more than its non-3D predecessor. That said, fans of the franchise or those seeking an action-puzzle fix could do far worse, with enough diamond-hunting on offer to satisfy the most dedicated, young or old.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While the game's basic graphics are knowingly naff and amateurish, they're still, well, a bit naff and amateurish. There's a deliberate Flash game aesthetic at play here that helps with its speed and legibility, especially in handheld mode, but it's not pretty. True, the developer mixes things up and keeps you on your toes with new twists and additions – as well as a couple of bonus modes (including an endless Gauntlet mode and co-op multiplayer) – but you're still essentially pressing the same two buttons again and again. Thankfully, it's always an awful lot of fun to press those two buttons. One Finger Death Punch 2 offers a one-two combo that might be simple, but boy is it effective.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Kart Krashers isn't perfect, but it sure is fun, and its willingness to try something new is a very good thing. It stumbles a bit in the control department and the sound issues are a disappointment, but when you're in the zone, smashing robot zombies and careening around a shopping mall, it's a blast. Kart racing fans looking to try something different while sticking to four wheels should have a great time with this one.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Most of all, it never quite recaptures the original's vibrant spirit that made it stand out 20 years ago.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This is a homage to the classic sci-fi RPGs of the '90s that successfully takes out many of the annoying bits but boasts a fair amount of the depth and consistency. Cosmic Star Heroine is a JRPG for those who long ago grew bored of JRPGs, but committed fans might find it just a little too slight an offering.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The quality of its story and presentation might be questionable, but at the very least it offers players who like to rack their brains and test their puzzle-solving prowess plenty of tricky teasers to sink their teeth into.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you’re looking for something substantial in the gameplay department, Old Man’s Journey probably isn’t for you. Its main mechanic is neat, but it doesn’t build upon it and due to the lack of any surrounding substance, you’ll be left feeling short changed. But for those that connect with it, Old Man’s Journey will offer up a memorable experience that comes equipped with a meaningful message and a stunning graphical palette.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Over time, fans have slowly begun to run out of patience with Square-Enix and these series side-stories while they wait for a fully fledged sequel, and Re:coded does little to remedy that.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite some rough edges, this is a charming platforming experience.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There’s certainly a lot to enjoy here, but the series has moved on and improved in the year it's taken this port to arrive, so it doesn't have the shine it once did..
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a fine way to play the 2010 original, but it’s also lacking any real reason for fans to double-dip beyond waggle-free controls. It’s less of a remaster and more of a port, to be honest, which would be all well and good if it wasn’t being sold at such a premium. There's plenty of fun to be had, but we can't help but walk away from it with a slightly sour taste in our mouths. Our advice? Grab the superior Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze instead.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Cloud Gardens is a gentle-looking, gentle-sounding toy in the “chill” genre. It has a pretty good game hung on top, participation in which is largely optional. Noio’s stated aim “to fill you with satisfaction without the frustration” is a motto that’s been observed. Your mileage will vary based on what you find satisfying and what you find frustrating, but the gameplay, the themes, the music, the sound, and the graphics are all of a piece, admirably on-message, and contribute to a unique, bittersweet atmosphere.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're the kind of gamer who enjoys trial-and-error play and doesn't get easily frustrated by the "error" aspect, you could do a lot worse than giving Ohno Odyssey a spin.

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