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
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Players might be put off by the short length and lack of multiplayer -- which means it probably won't get as much playtime after the first runthrough by anyone but high score junkies, but if you're a fan of the genre it's worth a look.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Long load times, ugly cinematics, and finicky touch controls aside, the fun mission structure and engaging gameplay makes this one worth picking up for anyone seeking big fun in small bursts.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    In conclusion, Inside My Radio is a fairly novel, robust rhythmic platformer that's fun for a few hours; you'll soon be moving on to other things. Worth picking up for a Sunday afternoon blast if you fancy something a tiny bit different.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As simple as Back to Bed may seem, it's a satisfying puzzle game. Bob's dream sequences further enhance the experience with the inclusion of an appropriately fitting surreal art style. If you're in the mood for a fun and functional puzzle game, maybe consider this one.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Standing out from the crowd with a unique, physics-based control scheme is all well and good but, by restricting its usage to just one simple idea, the game feels like it needs to be developed further to truly shine. The mechanics are undoubtedly interesting, and they’ll pique your curiosity at first, but after several levels players will be craving something new and that unfortunately never comes. Not a bad way to idly pass the time, then, but not something to shout home about either.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Wanderjahr TryAgainOrWalkAway hides a very competent and well designed strategy combat/puzzle game under the casual friendly visuals. Despite some struggle and grinding occasions that pop up now and then (one might even call some of the bosses overly unfair), the overall experience is very satisfying so even in massive defeat you don’t feel you were wasting your time. You will probably get the most out of this one playing it in portable mode with touchscreen controls, so make sure you have a screen wipe at the ready; even a single battle can lead up to hundreds of index finger taps on your Switch screen so tap softly... but tap decisively.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame isn't the groundbreaking reinvention the franchise so desperately needs, but it's still a step in the right direction. It's still got the same one-note combat (even with some Master Builder special attacks thrown in for good measure) and missions too often boil down to 'Go find enough resources to build this item, which opens this door, etc', but for all the times it falls into the pitfalls of its own past, there's plenty to appreciate. The focus on collecting resources makes total sense for a game all about breaking everything in sight, and the mixture of sandbox levels and creative building options is a timely reminder that LEGO Worlds has plenty of ideas still worth revisiting.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Considering how quickly Five Dates was conceptualised and developed, the overall execution of the story is commendable. Having said that, it’s a shame there’s no option here to flip things around and have a woman protagonist join the app to date five men in addition to Vinny. We appreciate this would effectively double the amount of work required, but we have to wonder who exactly Five Dates is aimed at. As it is, the entire premise feels like a throwaway side-story shoved into a Richard Curtis rom-com to simply appease the men in the audience. It’s a fun little distraction, but ultimately not an experience that’s going to stick with you for long.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rise of the Slime has some accessibility issues, mostly because of its occasionally iffy controls and the ridiculously small text, but if you can look past those, then you'll find a pleasantly bitesized little roguelite deckbuilder. It's no Slay the Spire, but it doesn't need to be; it keeps to its small scope well enough.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Michael Jackson: The Experience is indeed a good way to dance along to your favourite King of Pop routines, but that's really about it.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Like a classic chocolate cake, Cooking Mama Sweet Shop is comfortingly familiar, dependably tasty, and not about to surprise or delight with any particular twists. It doesn't do much to innovate on the series’ successful recipe of touchscreen microgames and food-based fun, but what's here is solid, and the focus on sweets does play to the series' strengths — even if the 'Shop' side of the equation falls flat. It's also commendably accessible, and backs up its all-ages appeal with simple, easy to read gameplay that's perfect for younger and novice gamers. If you're not specifically into desserts, Cooking Mama 5 is still our pick for the better game, but if you're looking to take a baking break with life's sugarier pleasures, Mama's Sweet Shop is a pretty sweet place to be.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Chubbins is a deceptively difficult old-school platformer that's all about managing your angles and learning to bounce at just the right moment.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    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.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    With multiple play modes and a two player option, this a game that should appeal to families looking for something light and enjoyable to play together on a night in. The gameplay may be somewhat lacking in variety and it will not pose a challenge for the older audience, but the kids will certainly have a good time with playing this one.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    All in all, Elastic Boy is a moderately good start for young kids who want to start getting into actual gaming (perhaps as a step up from Lexis Numerique's other WiiWare series), and for 600 Wii Points it's not really too expensive. Be on the lookout for sequels!
    • 56 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    If Space Invaders floats your intergalactic boat, Super Destronaut DX will definitely scratch your itch and the attempts to nudge and wink its way through your fond memories of neon lights and electro tunes are admirable. However, unless you’re a high score hunter or a multiplier maniac who has had their fill of more interesting shooters or music-based games on the system like Just Shapes And Beats or Lumines Remastered, Super Destronaut DX will end up being a brief time killer, but not much else.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Transformers Prime feels most at home on Wii U: increased visual fidelity makes it more striking and true to the cartoon than the cruder Wii and 3DS editions, and predictable yet appreciated flexibility offered by the GamePad brings a bundle of convenience. Just as on other platforms, though, the game is aimed squarely at the younger/casual Transformers crowd.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The concept behind WWE 2K Battlegrounds is a solid one, but it's let down time and time again by limited and repetitive combat, dopey AI, an excessively locked roster and a series of bewildering design choices that really should have been questioned at some point during production. We hope it eventually gets an improved sequel, but until then, the Switch is still lacking a proper main event-tier wrestling game.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    With Super Toy Cars, you either embrace the weird physics and accept that this is a cheap, silly experience, or you don’t.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    As a single player experience, Gameloft's Texas Hold 'em Poker will provide about as much diversion as a good game of Freecell. The visuals are excellent and the game plays well, but the useless online experience and one-note gameplay prevents us from recommending this game to anyone but die hard fans of this poker variant.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A lot of fun once Campaign Mode picks up, but it's all just too basic and repetitive to become very compelling. It's not a bad game, it just lends itself to tedium.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pokémon Rumble Blast is a good game, but - let's face it - we've played it before. The 3DS gave Nintendo a wider palette to work with, but it seems like it was content to leave well enough alone.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Star Wars: Hunters might not bring anything particularly new to the ever-increasing field of class-based shooters, but there's a lot of fun to be had here. If you can look past the fiddly menus and 'Arena Pass' trappings that have haunted so many in the genre, Hunters offers a level of tactical PvP gameplay that is simple to grasp and entertaining enough to warrant mastering. Best of all, it feels right at home on Switch. There's certainly room for improvement but, like ol' Shiv Palpatine, we will watch its career with great interest.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    RollerCoaster Tycoon Adventures is both incredibly enjoyable and considerably infuriating. There’s just enough of that classic magic in there to make the design and management of a theme park a consistently rewarding experience, and using permits and research to space out your access to the good stuff makes this a genuinely fun time sink. However, the level of automation that’s migrated over from the mobile iteration really does negatively impact this Switch port, and issues with overall performance place a big caveat around its neck. While it's not a total disaster, RollerCoaster Tycoon Adventures does leave you wanting a little more – especially if you're a seasoned fan of the long-running series.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Lonpos does very little to make itself stand out from the abundance of alternative WiiWare puzzlers and the price doesn’t quite justify what’s on offer here.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There's nothing badly wrong with Gods vs. Humans, but with 60 levels that are largely the same your interest might start to wane quite fast.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It's not a tense, open-world survival game and it's not a zany, action-packed zombie kill-a-thon. How To Survive falls somewhere in between the two, and will likely appeal only to die-hard fans of the genre, or anyone willing to spend cash on a cheap thrill or two.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There will inevitably be some long-time fans disappointed by the game's far tamer level designs and lack of fan favourite Monkey Target mini-game, but those who can open their minds up to something a bit different might actually find the game a fun and engaging experience.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Ultimately, it's an average game diminished by its own bugs, glitches, and largesse.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite occasionally getting lost and feeling overwhelmed by all the options and moves, Samurai Warriors 3 is a real treat and it's easy to see why Nintendo secured it exclusively for the Wii. Although there is a ton of content, the gameplay is structured in bite-sized pieces so players can make some serious accomplishments in a short span of time.

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