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
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Nikoderiko: The Magical World is a wonderfully satisfying platforming experience that borrows and expertly replicates the elements that made classic entries in the genre so beloved. Smart level design, enjoyable gameplay, lots of collectibles, and a killer soundtrack all come together to make this one an easy recommendation if you love DKC. That said, bear in mind that this one is also very light on original ideas, and that the Switch version struggles in some areas with its performance. If you can look past those flaws, we’d suggest you pick this one up, and even if such drawbacks do bother you, this is still worth scooping up on sale.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Indivisible is an ambitious game, and there are moments where it seems to buckle somewhat under that ambition. The oddly-paced story, watered-down RPG elements, and inconsistent platforming indicate that this one maybe could’ve used more time in the oven. On the other hand, the beautiful visuals, excellent voice acting, great writing, and top-notch combat prove to be strong elements of an argument in its favor. Indivisible may have some rough edges, but these don’t prove to overly hinder the generally enjoyable and charming nature of this adventure. It may not be perfect, but we’d still recommend you give Indivisible a look; this one’s certainly worth your time.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It may not be saying much but Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is the best the series has been in almost two decades and newcomers are bound to find a lot to love. It wears its heart on its sleeve and clearly the team has true passion for the franchise. It's packed full of content, new ways to play and there are so many extras and improvements that never existed in the original. Unfortunately, the engine beneath it all isn't quite up to the job. What they've achieved with Unity simply isn't on par with the originals and while the main game is still enjoyable, many of the party games are severely hindered. Until Monkey Target returns to its former glory, we cannot truly say Super Monkey Ball is back.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's still a lot of fun, however, and works well for on-the-go bug-squashing sessions, especially if you've got a friend by your side.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    With thousands of puzzles, a range of difficulty levels and intuitive controls, Crossword Collection is a good choice for anyone wanting a budget range of wordy puzzles to last. It's not without its problems, but it's a good way to while away a quiet evening and doesn't try to throw any pseudo-educational elements on you.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dusk Diver is a solid Musuo-style hack-and-slash action game that throws you into some massive battles with a fun and flexible combat system at your disposal. Its narrative is fairly derivative but it's bolstered by a strong, wise-cracking cast of highly likeable characters that we really hope we get to see more from in the future. It's a shame that it's let down somewhat by a pretty but very empty setting in Ximending and, outside of combat missions, much of what you do is simple padding and busywork. However, if you're a fan of this type of action game, there's plenty to enjoy here taking on endless hordes of chaos beasts, unleashing the powers of the Kunlun gods and stringing together screen-filling attacks until that combo counter explodes.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Blasting Agent: Ultimate Edition is like a little trip back in time to when graphics were blocky, gameplay was simple and story was almost non-existent in video games. It's got the look of a retro game, the feel of a retro game, and due to its repetitious nature, some of the shortcomings of the era as well.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Due to the source material, the plot is engaging enough to keep drawing you in just to see if you can crack it. It’s just a disappointment that so many elements required to make it a truly must-have game are missing – the lack of hints, penalties and slow dialogue sections limit this one to fans of Poirot, Agatha Christie and murder investigation games in general.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mom Hid My Game is as easy to adore as it is to dismiss. Sure, it's been out for a year (and is free) on iOS, it's simple, short and oh so random. It's also quite endearing, then, that the modest presentation hides a cute and deceptively astute little game with a fun idea and a heartfelt moral. It's one of the most idiosyncratic games on the eShop, and while its limited credentials and low production are very typical of its mobile roots, the potential of having more content, more complex puzzles or better visuals would in actuality take away its charm. It's a bit of a hard sell on a system with so many fantastic games, but if you like the quirkiness of something like Warioware and you're willing to embrace it for what it is, it will make you smile, as a well as make you think in more ways than one.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There’s no shortage of charming, artistic puzzle-platformers on Switch and Koloro is certainly a good one; there’s much to like in its simple mechanics and narrative, and there’s satisfaction to be found in its puzzle-solving. The problem is that you’ve almost certainly seen everything it has to offer somewhere before and, as much as it engages your grey matter while you play, it’s unlikely to stay with you in the same way the games it evokes do.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rabbids: Party of Legends is a fun, polished party game that can soak up a few hours if you have enough people willing to jump in and out. The visuals feel unique within the Rabbids franchise while still capturing the charm and personality fans will expect. The slow progression of unlocking new games in Party Mode, the lack of online play, and the fact that the game is almost unplayable in Tabletop Mode hold this title back from being truly worth the asking price, though.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If you’re going to release something titled Valis: The Phantasm Soldier Collection it’s not unreasonable to expect it to contain a full complement of Valis games, even if only for one format. Unfortunately, those hoping for a one-stop Yuko (and friends) shop are going to be disappointed. What's here is delivered in a no-nonsense, serviceable fashion, and newcomers may well fall in love with the action heroine’s slightly awkward games... only to find they’re missing the final entry.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Visually, the game looks pretty nice for the most part, and runs really well. It’s hardly the most detailed of games, and indeed some of the textures are pretty poor, but the environments are very well stylised, and the objects within the levels are mostly the correct size and proportions. There’s a charm to the visuals that harks back to more retro titles (you can’t deny the similarities to Micro Machines), and it will no doubt appeal to both mature and younger gamers alike.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It's a tentative "yes", then, to this fascinating and flawed stealth game with an impressive sense of place; some will bounce off it harder than our Switch bounced off the wall when we got caught by yet another guard, but many will find it atmospheric, challenging and compelling. Definitely worth your attention, even if it's just to find out you don't like it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    As enjoyable as the game can be however, it ends after seven victories. This combined with the lack of options (and teams) limits the long term appeal of Soccer Brawl, but its simple nature means that it works well for those looking for a quick bout of "footbrawling" fun with a friend.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It contains great graphics and sound, and does a fine job of allowing the player to explore and become more powerful without holding their hand. However, the game suffers from a tedious opening sequence, occasional camera and combat control stumbles, and a lackluster map.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Everybody 1-2-Switch! is a perfectly serviceable party game when playing through one of the mini-games that offers something new, but those moments are few and far between. The rest of the games are not by any means bad, but they fail to stand out on the already-loaded table of Nintendo party titles. Combine this with the noticeable step-down in quality when playing with fewer people, and we are left thinking that this is a game which will only be brought out in very specific circumstances. It's a perfectly harmless party game, but it doesn't come close to what Nintendo has achieved in the genre in the past.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Watching their antics is fun for a while, but gradually you'll find yourself paying more attention to the actual game at hand, which isn't bad - in fact, loading times aside, it's perfect for doctors' offices, car trips, or any other short periods of time where you don't want to get fully involved in a longer game.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    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.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The inspiration behind Black The Fall should be enough to draw an audience. The problem is, if you were judging the game with no prior knowledge or understanding of communism, you may not enjoy it as much as someone who is informed about the themes dealt with – as obscure as the interpretation may be at times. The visual narrative throughout is all that's offered to help understand the game’s universe; fortunately it does a satisfactory job shaping the world. The puzzle elements are not groundbreaking, but when mixed with the platforming provide a rewarding experience that is similar to the likes of LIMBO. The major blemish is the performance and reduced visuals. The sluggish performance ultimately makes this a far less enjoyable game to play on the Switch, and the below average visuals can make it tricky to distinguish what is going on at times.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Geki Yaba Runner Deluxe is an inoffensive, typical mobile runner repackaged for 3DS. It doesn't excel in any particular area, but it's far from bad. The controls are passable, and fast restarts mean that you can jump right back in when you hit an obstacle you never saw coming. If you're into this genre there's a good challenge present with replayability in the optional objectives; it's most tolerable in short play sessions.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There's a decent amount of fun to be had with Earth Wars before a degree of monotony sets in. What starts out as a pretty slick, if straightforward 2D side-scrolling brawler fleshed out by a huge wealth of loot to gather, weapons to customise and skill stats to unlock, It never moves the needle far enough in either variety or innovation to truly hold interest for extended periods. Sure, there's just enough nuance in the combat and giant bosses to slay to you keep coming back, but the uninspired missions and derivative characters never let it realise its full potential.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Overpass is an awkward, ornery racing game that stubbornly refuses to indulge your need for speed and instant gratification. It makes you work for every shaved second and clean section, with a unique brand of technical off-road obstacle negotiation that will have casual racing game players tearing their hair out - and a fair few hardened fanatics to boot. Given the lack of analogue triggers on the Joy-Con and even with this hardcore focus in mind, Overpass is simply too rough around the edges to win anything more than a heavily qualified recommendation. But a very specific sort of glutton for automotive punishment will lap it up.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    For that low entry price you still get a polished, easy to control golf game with short, quickly consumable challenges that lend themselves nicely to portable hardware.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Pokémon Duel is an odd game. It's a smart, strategic board game that also has questionable design choices, a reliance on in-app purchases and a battle system that relies too heavily on luck. It has the potential to be so much more, and it could fulfil that latent promise with future updates; despite its design issues it is oddly compelling and we found ourselves coming back to it as a result. It's a mixed bag, all told, and in the context of the grand nature of the Pokémon brand that's a disappointment - improvements are needed for it to stand tall within the franchise.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    What is impressive, however, is the game's accessibility options. By default, Trigger Witch is a gory affair, with blood coating the ground as you gun down your enemies; if you wish, though, you can turn this off entirely, making the game more or less suitable for a younger audience. Not only that, but you can completely customise how much damage Colette gives and receives, opening up a good amount of difficulty options.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fox n Forests can’t be faulted for its fantastically accurate portrayal of 16-bit platforming; very few indie games have managed to nail the look and sound of the SNES so well. Its season-changing gimmick also makes for some inventive moments. Where it lets itself down is in its fiddly controls and its short length, which combine to make a game that’s merely good when it could have been great.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Arc Style: Soccer!! 3D has its share of bizarre design choices, but the appeal of creating your own team from scratch, player by player, and pitting them against teams designed by your friends is undeniable. Unfortunately this requires you to have friends who own the game, and the single player experience doesn't measure up nearly as well.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    With a different visual style to most of the retro shmups on Switch, and dinosaurs and similar enemies to blast, Prehistoric Isle 2 stands out visually from the other options on the eShop, although the presentation is harmed by instances of slowdown and unremarkable (if inoffensive) audio. Overall, Prehistoric Isle 2 can provide some fun, but we wouldn't class this as a must-play title amongst the many shmups currently on Switch.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Stranded Sails offers some terrific farming simulation which does the majority of the game's heavy lifting, but it’s held up by middling RPG-esque mechanics. Mixing things up and throwing a selection of genres into a pot to see what comes out is arguably commendable, and there’s an awful lot to like about Stranded Sails, but some frustrating and bizarre choices in regards to recipes and the energy meter system hamstring the game for those hoping for a less taxing castaway experience.

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