Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
For 5,863 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 Animal Well
Lowest review score: 10 Hockey Allstar Shootout
Score distribution:
5871 game reviews
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    As expected, Flips: The Bubonic Builders offers pretty much exactly the same as the first time around, but with a different story. It's a bit too childish for anyone but young kids to enjoy, but if you know any who liked the previous title then they will very likely also enjoy this one.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    If you're a die-hard fan of Olympic shooting you can give it a try, but we'd suggest choosing any one of a myriad of other games on the Wii featuring target shooting instead.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 10 Critic Score
    Even if there were no issues with this game locking up and becoming unplayable, it's still more hassle than it's worth. If you really want to play some golf on your DSi, try one of the other available games instead and save yourself the headache.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Though there are both Wireless and Download Play options for Multiplayer, the loading times are long and the battles are just as monotonous and repetitive against a human player as the CPU. This game is fine for young children, but adults will want to skip it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    With 36 main campaign levels and 24 additional "quickplay" levels, each of which consists of an "action" and "defense" part, you'll be content for a decent while if you're just looking for more tower defense action and have already exhausted DSiWare's other options.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The developers have done a fantastic job of recreating the overlay visuals that were painted on the screens of the original LCD units and the LCD displays are spot-on perfect renditions of the original.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Chef provides frantic, old-school pick-up-and-play fun that's just as addictive now as when it was first introduced, and along with the other DSiWare Game & Watch titles, Nintendo has used the better graphics and sound technology available now in order to make as authentic an LCD handheld experience as possible on your DSi.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Judge was only the fifth Game & Watch to be released, and it shows – it just isn't as addictive as other titles in the series.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If you were getting used to the characters and setting of the previous two Flips installments, it's mildly disappointing that this one features completely different ones. However, the story itself has been popular with kids for over 70 years, meaning it should also manage to hold your interest.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    As for the difficulty, it's almost non-existent considering this game will put you to sleep long before it becomes any kind of a challenge – in fact, if you're on the market for a new sleep aid, this will probably pay for itself after the first couple of weeks.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    What it does, it does well, so if you happen to be in the super niche market for an inexpensive DSiWare Nintendo metronome or always wanted to play Donkey Kong with an instrument or by clapping and yelling then look no further.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    What it does, it does well – probably better than expected, in fact – so if you happen to be in the super-niche market for an inexpensive DSiWare Nintendo instrument tuner then look no further.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The driving and shooting are both unsatisfying, the mission structures lack variety and the writing shows off every negative stereotype under the sun.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    If Grill-Off with Ultra Hand had a Weber-bound equivalent then it would be a cheap hot dog: it's okay to indulge in once in a while but not something you'll care to have again very often.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There's a good chance your 3-6 year old will get some decent mileage out of this title, and at 500 points, it costs less than most of the other toys and games they'll outgrow eventually.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Each playthrough starts off very slowly, but the fast-moving nature of later stages of the game is what will keep you coming back for more.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Quite simply, Helmet is boring and without any real challenge.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Vermin remains one of the more simple yet addictive entries in the Game & Watch collection and yet another fine addition to the growing Game & Watch library on DSiWare.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It's a little hit-and-miss and quite generic, but card-loving gamers may want to give it a go.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Overall it's hard to fault the application too much, especially since it will only set you back 200 Nintendo Points, but you can't help but wish the application had a little bit more to offer and in all honesty it ultimately might be easier to just use your computer to make the postcards instead.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Donkey Kong Jr. is easily one of the more enjoyable of the Game & Watch releases and if you've never tried any of the Game & Watch titles, this one is a great place to start.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Flagman isn't quite as engaging as some of the top shelf Game & Watch releases, but it's still got enough intriguing gameplay to make it worthwhile for gamers who can't get enough of these unique LCD games.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    If you want a piece of gaming (or personal) history on the relative cheap side then toss this one in your download queue, but if you’re not a collector or nostalgic then snap up one of the more interesting Game & Watch DSiWare releases instead.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    As it stands, there’s no real incentive to buy this as its central gimmick wears off too quickly and all that’s left is you, spinning around endlessly, zapping imaginary aliens.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    With a short main game and no multiplayer, Brain Drain is nothing more than a passing, casual experience to be enjoyed on one's lunch break or while waiting for the bus. At home on your Wii the game can still provide some brief amusement for fans of puzzle games, but we suspect you'll find better things to do.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Don't Feed the Animals is devoid of complexity, personality, skill and entertainment value. It's boring, ugly, frustrating, repetitive and has bad collision mechanics.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Puffins are undeniably cute little critters, but slapping them on a labyrinth game with shoddy, mismatched controls won’t cover up the fact that it’s just not that fun.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It's a neat alternative to other DSiWare word games and worth checking out if you want something different, just don't expect to stick around for very long.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Its biggest fault being the extreme difficulty of its more challenging levels, Bloons is otherwise a simple, moderately enjoyable puzzle game. Those ready to face the frustration will find a challenge worth committing themselves to – unless its most obdurate stages cause them to be committed.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Try as it does, Bounce & Break never rises above unremarkable and ultimately feels hollow.

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