Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
For 5,858 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: 10 153 Hand Video Poker
Score distribution:
5866 game reviews
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It's still among the most enjoyable karaoke titles on the system and the included tracks will appeal to a broad enough spectrum to make it a solid choice. That said it does absolutely nothing to improve the genre, satisfied to rest on its laurels and wait for the sales to roll in.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    If it gets a patch that fixes the performance issues and most egregious bugs then you're looking at one of the most entertaining RPGs on Switch; it's that good. For now, however, we're left shaking our heads and wondering why on earth Shadowrun: Dragonfall has been re-released in this state.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Table Top Racing: World Tour - Nitro Edition does the whole dinky toy car racing thing much better and feels like a much more solid and cohesive experience. Although, Super Toy Cars 2 could teach TTR a thing or two about engaging handling. Of course, both games fall well short or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, and Team Sonic Racing. If you need another dose of fantastical arcade racing in your life, just pick up the one or two of those three that you don't own.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    No matter how much we like the game itself — and we like it a lot — it's very hard to recommend picking up this poor Nintendo Switch version as things stand. Without the technical issues, this one's an easy recommendation and a solid start to a fantastic RPG trilogy. However, in its launch state, it's a much harder sell. Fingers crossed we see a patch ASAP.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    While its crude looks and disparate gameplay elements can make for a spartan experience, there’s still something bizarrely compelling about Lifeless Planet: Premiere Edition. There’s nothing particularly remarkable about its occasional platforming and simple environmental puzzle solving - and its story never truly offers the payoff its mysteries set in place - but you’ll still enjoy the short time you spend with it. An ambitious little curio, even four years after its original release, but one that sets its sights a little too high for its own good.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Perhaps all the timed daily tasks and events made more sense in a mobile context, and it's possible they could hook you here if you have endless patience and affection for these crews. For dedicated Trekkies content to multitask with their Switch on their lap, Star Trek: Legends may well deliver compulsive delights - the audio-visual feedback as the numbers go up is satisfying, as is the thrill of pulling an Epic or Legendary character. Ultimately, though, while collecting your favourite crewmembers sounds like a fun mission, the bland battles involved — and the chronic load times between them — aren't enough to make this a worthwhile journey. Legends isn't terrible, but it is just your favourite Star Trek characters phasering each other until one of them disintegrates.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Battle Axe is a good-looking homage to the classic hack and slash arcade efforts of yesteryear that's dragged down by some fairly dull and repetitive action. It looks the part, sounds the part, nails the aesthetic and vibe that it's going for completely, but then it drops the ball with regards to level design, enemy AI and in providing any sense of strategy or surprise during a short campaign that gives you very little reason to return once its done and dusted. If only it had a few twists and turns and a handful more levels, this one could have been well worth a playthrough but, as things stand, it's pretty forgettable stuff.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    For better or for worse, 3D Game Collection won't surprise anyone, and it's even less likely to excite, but players looking for a predictable, on-the-go fix of classic board game archetypes should have some fun with this collection.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Hell Warders isn’t the prettiest of games you’ll play on Nintendo Switch – even in docked mode its visuals really struggle to shake off that last-gen sheen – but look past its unoriginal Gothic aesthetic and there’s a competent (if uninspiring) Tower Defence game to be had. If you’re planning to tackle this alone, it’s best avoided, but if you want to hook up with the admittedly small number of people playing online, the occupants of hell certainly won’t slay themselves.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Much like a shimmering ghost seen for just a fleeting moment, The Outbound Ghost flirts with taking the corporeal form of a great Paper Mario-style game but it never fully materialises. The heart is definitely there, with some great music and environments to go along with adorable little ghost characters, but a shallow battle system, a meandering narrative, and fuzzy presentation left us wanting in just about every ghostly regard.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Bee Simulator is a surprisingly thoughtful game with bags of charm to spare, a wonderful soundtrack and a reasonably detailed world to explore. However, the experience is seriously soured by the sensitive controls, along with the punishing – and very frustrating – racing segments. A few visual and technical problems crop up as well, which – when added to the game's brevity and distinct lack of content (especially for this asking price) – all conspire to make Bee Simulator a much less successful undertaking that it could have been.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Crazy Chicken Pirates 3D isn't bad, but it's certainly disappointing. As much potential as there was for a fun, frantic shooting gallery, the 90 second time limit really hampers the experience. The single stage on offer here may well keep you entertained for a few minutes, but there's no denying that this chicken is underdone.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Ultimately, Spartan Fist is a pretty shallow experience for the most part. Visually, the game is really on point, and the pixelated graphics look great, especially when fountains of blocky blood (or rainbows, if you wish) fill the screen when you take down your foes. Sadly, the gameplay that forms the foundation of the experience just isn't up to scratch with this one.
    • 50 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Don't let the incessant trolling of its Miiverse community delude you, as Funky Barn is not an entirely bad game. It's far from pretty, but its simple gameplay is quite addictive while it lasts and it controls well.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Dusk Diver 2, like the first game, has potential; the cast of characters and storyline are both engaging, and the world could definitely host more interesting stories in the future. However, this sequel sadly fumbles things on the gameplay front, with a disappointing mixture of damage-sponge enemies and drawn-out encounters. While we didn't enjoy Dusk Diver 2 as much as we had hoped, there is something there — a kernel of potential as yet unrealised — and there are going to be people who absolutely adore it despite its faults. For us, a potential Dusk Diver 3 will hopefully boast combat engaging enough to match the writing on display here.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    With so few football games on Switch, Legendary Eleven might be tempting, but be prepared for a scruffy 0-0 draw rather than a 5-4 thriller. There are some highlights that impress, but the game's many technical flaws, lack of depth and unbalanced gameplay will most likely cause you yearn for something more refined and exciting. It really is a game of two halves.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Plain Video Poker can best be described as a game that knows its intended audience. It’s easy to balk at its lack of bells and whistles; and the people who do have every right to feel that there could have been at least a few aesthetic customization options.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Around the World quizzes players over a limited set of information in a somewhat interesting way, ending up with a very basic and average experience.
    • 47 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The price point is low enough that big fans of simple mobile strategy games may find something here, but otherwise you may want to skip this Line.
    • 45 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It’s hard to recommend Wacky World of Sports due to its hit-and-miss events and occasionally poor controls.
    • 36 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It's still largely linear, and the gameplay mostly amounts to simplistic, repetitive beat-em-up combat, boring level design and platforming marred by a somewhat cumbersome jumping mechanic.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    With a bit more thought and attention Bike Rider could have been a considerably more fun and engaging 2D Mario Kart-esque addition to the Wii U library. Instead, it's an amalgamation of tired and recycled ideas that, when combined, results in a middle-of-the-road albeit well-produced racing game outside of its natural portable home. Here's to what could have been.
    • 50 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    While Loop8’s story has the potential to be incredibly interesting, it never really lands and fails to leave an emotional impact towards the end. It's all presented beautifully and has a unique mix of gameplay styles and ideas, but their repetitive and frustrating nature makes the whole experience a chore. It’s like toiling away at your summer job and going through the motions until it’s time to leave.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Those looking for a good, enjoyable game should look elsewhere though, because despite only being 50 minutes long, you're likely to get bored before it ends.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Billion Road makes an intriguing pitch: to combine Monopoly and Pokémon into a family-friendly digital board game. With its bright presentation, varied mechanics, and endless barrage of distractions and rewards, it could be perfect for young families looking for some wholesome couch time. However, there's a critical lack of strategic substance underpinning it all, while the presence of a virtual guiding hand tilting the odds robs the game of the emotional extremes that the true classics manage to evoke.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Another Crab’s Treasure boasts the usual facets of a Soulslike whilst also implementing its own take on well-known mechanics. Nevertheless, significant drops in frame rate, numerous glitches, and occasionally awkward controls do hinder the experience, at least on Nintendo Switch. If you can look past these problems, or if updates arrive to patch them up, Another Crab’s Treasure may scratch your Soulslike itch.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Much like Woah Dave!, Space Dave!’s ironic use of exclamation mark might fool you into thinking you’re getting a particularly riveting or exciting experience for your buck. Its simple, Space Invaders tribute concept can be addictive - especially when played in local co-op - but its desire to embrace the basic building blocks of the ’80s is a poisoned chalice, one that leaves you hoping it would offer more depth where there’s just the same old shallow, pixelated waters.
    • 50 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    While Excave II made some nice quality of life improvements to the original formula, it inexplicably seems like most of Excave III's changes are for the worse.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Then again, there's the possibility that this is all a thought experiment for Beth, and Adam isn't real at all, which makes the story marginally more bearable — but overall, Trufflepigs is a little too short, a little too slow, and a lot too much of the unlikeable Beth. As a proof-of-concept of what Thunkd can do, it's promising, but limited graphics, poor accessibility options (although text size is changeable), and unskippable dialogue that grinds the entire game to a halt make it hard to recommend. Unless, of course, you're looking for a tranquil-ish three hours of pleasant pastoral mundanity, sporadically interrupted by a self-involved rich kid having a quarter-life crisis and making it your problem.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    LastFight lifts the classic gameplay of Capcom's Power Stone series and dumps it into an established comic book universe which it then entirely fails to utilise. It's sorely lacking in game modes and inexplicably fails to provide any online co-operative gameplay options. The AI here is pretty dumb, stages are bland and the central gameplay aspects are hampered by a lack of polish, from attacks that don't feel satisfying to long loading times between every bout. If you've got a bunch of pals who like to get down and dirty with a party brawler you may be able to knock more than a handful of hours of fun out of this one, but if you're playing solo, you'll genuinely struggle to stick with it for any reasonable amount of time.

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