Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
For 5,857 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 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Lowest review score: 10 Lawnmower Game: Racing
Score distribution:
5865 game reviews
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Trine 4 had a lot riding on it given the effects of its predecessor, but we can confidently say that the course has been corrected and the series’ reputation restored. From start to finish, Trine 4 is a remarkably absorbing and beautiful experience that’ll keep you challenged and interested right through to the finish, while also offering a fair bit to keep you coming back for a couple hours after the credits roll. Though the combat needs some work, any failings here are easily rectified by the strong puzzle design that manages to stay both dynamic and challenging. If you’re looking for an easily accessible game to play in co-op or a game that’s a bit more reliant on brains than reflexes, Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince is just what you’re looking for. We’d give it a high recommendation, especially if you enjoyed some of Frozenbyte’s earlier work.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    All in all, we loved Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories for taking us back to our roots and reminding us of simpler times when games were much more limited and required a unique type of creativity and imagination in their nostalgic design and witty storytelling. Short but sweet, if you're looking for a well-written little adventure that walks a dark path, you'll enjoy this evocative, melon-choly journey.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Bomberman Collection showcases some of the very best gameplay that Bomberman has to offer. Between the various games on offer, there are dozens of hours of exciting couch multiplayer battles to be had, demonstrating that it doesn’t take the latest and greatest tech for a game to simply be fun to play with others. Though the lack of native online is disappointing, the great gameplay coupled with some robust museum content that honors the legacy of these games makes this one a no brainer—especially given the relatively cheap price. If you’re looking for another game you can pull out on game nights with friends, I’d highly suggest you pick this one up.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This is a full fat Resident Evil experience with a neat partner system and some terrifyingly tense set pieces. There's a strong case to be made that you should ignore the original (especially if you've played it already) and simply purchase this prime slab of survival horror, but completionists won't be disappointed either way.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic maintains its crown as the lord of all theme park management sims. Despite not supporting touchscreen inputs at all for some bizarre reason, and sudden performance dips when zooming out, the move to Nintendo Switch is a great one. With smartly-designed controls and that timeless RCT gameplay (vertical) loop (right) completely intact, the best way to play this classic in your living room TV might, ironically, be Nintendo’s handheld hybrid.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Shadow Bug is a welcome breath of fresh air in a stuffy virtual space that’s up to the ceiling with 2D platformers. Experiencing the title with detached Joy-Cons on the big screen, as opposed to utilising the touchscreen; you’ll be cheerfully surprised by its unique art style and play method.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's less predictable than its previous instalments, smartly ditching the dead wood in favour of a fresh approach that emphatically reminds us why the series has been going for 14 years.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In spite of marked control improvements, Super Scribblenauts doesn't provide a much varied experience from its predecessor.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    On the whole, you’re well advised to get Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games if you’re after a fun and accessible single-player adventure. The sports are hit and miss, but the Sonic Rush-like Supersonic Downhill and Fever Hockey are addictive events you’ll go back to time and time again.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While the lack of touchscreen support is an odd omission considering both games previously appeared on 3DS and Wii U, that doesn’t stop Scribblenauts Mega Pack from bringing two of the most empowering games of the past decade. Both have been optimised for Switch so you can be sure you’re getting a family-friendly experience that’ll have you plumbing the depths of your imagination for the most creative and out-of-the-box solutions.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    DOOM Eternal has undergone one of the most severe visual downgrades we've ever seen in order to get the game running on Switch – which is a portable console, lest we forget – but the fact that it runs at a solid 30 frames per second and, most importantly, is still fantastically good fun means this 'impossible' port is nothing short of a miracle. The looks may have taken a hit, but the non-stop action, incredible soundtrack and sheer satisfaction in taking out hordes of demons all add up to a game that is just as pure as it was on other formats.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sparklite is a fantastic rogue-lite adventure title that provides a nostalgia hit for 2D Zelda fans without feeling like a bad copy. The game’s rich world fuses mechanics and story without it feeling obnoxious, and the cast of characters are lovable and well-rounded, with each one standing out from the crowd. By the end, players will be begging for more, even if the final road is a little bumpy with some awkward difficulty spikes. Geodia is a world no one wants to leave by the end, but it’s one that’s enjoyable to return to again and again.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Those of you looking for the next Castle Crashers or Streets of Rage need look no further, as Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition is a great beat ‘em up for your Switch. Bombastic presentation and crunchy combat gameplay make this one enjoyable from start to finish. Though it can feel like it runs a bit short and the difficulty spikes can be rather intense, we’d give this one a strong recommendation to anybody looking for a fun, short game to play in co-op. Let's just hope it sticks around for longer than four years this time.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a welcome return for one of Mickey’s most memorable adventures, this is just about everything one could’ve wanted out of a revisit to a lost classic. It fumbles its execution a bit with the performance, but there are enough novel ideas and enjoyable gameplay concepts here to make the experience more than worth your while. Enjoyable gameplay, a captivating world, lots of replayability, and a raft of tweaks and improvements over the original make this one an easy sell. We’d recommend this to anyone looking for a big-budget 3D platformer that does things a little differently from the genre norms, and of course to anyone who considers themselves an avid Disney fan.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Killing Time: Remastered is yet another success for Nightdive Studios, with the team unearthing a forgotten cult classic and bringing it right up to date for modern consoles with revamped visuals and updated controls. Like PO'ed: Definitive Edition, however, it's not a game that's going to appeal to everyone thanks to its bizarre cast of characters and unorthodox method of storytelling. That said, if you're curious to experience one of the more unique games in the FPS genre, this is without a doubt the best way to do so.
    • 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.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a hidden gem from the Wii U era that's been given a new lease of life on the Nintendo Switch, and rightly so. New levels and fresh multiplayer are welcome inclusions but it's a bit of a shame that we've lost four levels as a result – and for no apparent reason. Still, all being said, this is a wonderful and gorgeous puzzler fit for all ages, and one which you should definitely experience if you're yet to.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth doesn’t take too long to beat — even the most curious/thorough/careful player is unlikely to go over the 10-hour mark — but when the adventure’s this much fun and as densely packed with creativity, does it matter? At the end of it all you’re far more likely to feel satisfied than short-changed, and Deedlit’s tale is a surprisingly touching one regardless of how much or little you already know about Lodoss. If you're after something with the flavour of Symphony of the Night that doesn't feel like a shallow knock-off, this is a fine alternative.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This isn’t a cash-grab with Mario's face on the front; this is a well-constructed and beautifully realised Mario Party game which takes the series right back to its roots, but without being a straightforward rehash. There are a few interesting ideas that feel a little bit underdeveloped, but on the whole Super Mario Party is a true return to form.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Letter Quest Remastered not only manages to successfully combine the wild pairing of Scrabble and RPGs, but also manages to make it incredibly fun. You’ll find yourself doing little other than furious spelling and the purchasing of skills and upgrades throughout the entire 10+ campaign, yet these things remain enjoyable and keep you interested from start to finish. If your confidence in using the English language isn’t as strong as it could be you shouldn’t feel threatened by the idea of this game, it's worth noting that you can steadily work your way through levels at your own pace and by using the weapon upgrades provided – although we would suggest that people with a natural linguistic flair might get the most enjoyment out of it. Either way, a lot fun is waiting for you in this title and we’d urge you to give it a go.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The MotoGP series has been a bit of a mixed bag over the years, but with MotoGP 20 Milestone is finally beginning to realise its vision for a full-bodied racing simulation. The considerable Career mode offers a deep management experience, while the introduction of Historic Mode adds a fun way to earn rewards for daily challenges. But it’s the changes to on-track performance and the deeper bike mechanics that make this a truly realistic, if not particularly penetrable, experience.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Style Savvy: Trendsetters is a beautiful game which offers an incredible variety of content, boasts addictive gameplay, and makes excellent use of the 3DS' features. Like its up-and-coming fashionista protagonist, Style Savvy is confident, fun and charming. If fashion games are your style, you'll be absolutely thrilled with everything on offer here, and even if it's not the sort of game you'd normally consider picking up, it's well worth a second look.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Wonderfully weird, colourfully cool, and just plain fun, Radiohammer is an excellent addition to the 3DS' impressive rhythm game lineup.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It may not have a great big open world to play around in like Arkham City, but Batman: Arkham Asylum is still our favourite game of the bunch. It introduced everything that's great about the trilogy; the combat, the dark tone, the endless Riddler puzzles and detective work, whilst also serving up a story that didn't waste any time. Asylum is a tight and taut thrill ride, one of the all-time great superhero games and, over a decade later, it's still a must-play.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Eastward: Octopia may not bring many new ideas to a crowded genre, but this is an impressively well-executed expansion that nicely ticks all the boxes for a satisfying and relaxing farm sim. Although it has some rougher edges, the decent gameplay variety, interesting story, gorgeous visuals, and surprising amount of content all come together to make this one an easy recommendation to any fans of the original Eastward. Even for those of you who fell off your playthrough of the original for one reason or another, we’d encourage you to consider coming back for Octopia—this is a much better-paced game and, some performance issues aside, it’s lost none of the charm that made the original so popular.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The addition of gyro controls is just the cherry on top of an excellent job on the part of Saber Interactive. The gameplay here has aged surprisingly well, too, and rampaging across the sandbox of Lingshan taking out human and alien foes with your nano suit technology is just as much fun now as it was way back in 2007. Crysis is easily one very best shooters currently available on Switch.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you own a Switch then there’s no real decision to be made here: Captain Toad is still far and away better on Nintendo’s latest system. That’s not to say the 3DS version is a write-off, though, because that’s far from the case. As seemingly one of the final few big-name releases for the system, Captain Toad pushes it to its limits to produce easily one of the best-looking 3DS games ever made. The 3DS may be preparing for retirement, but games like this are ensuring it’s going out in a blaze of glory.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This Breakout-like game may not offer massively varied gameplay or an engrossing storyline, but as ball and paddle games go, Gunbarich is superb. Different enemy types and hazards keep things interesting with power-ups giving a range of ways to remove the blocks, and while it's easy to play, the game offers a stern challenge. Good music and visual design add to the appeal, with fun character designs and some great little touches; blocks grow eyes and look worried when their neighbours are destroyed, for example. There's a lot of replayability in trying to improve your score and although there's no online high score board to aim for, Gunbarich offers plenty of entertainment and is a recommended download.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The visuals are a bit simple, and the story often feels rather tacked-on, but neither of those factors should do very much to deter anyone from enjoying what is otherwise a surprisingly fun time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With striking gold, blue, and green colours, Disjunction certainly looks the part, and depicts its cyberpunk setting successfully. There’s plenty of atmosphere, and this is further elevated by an ambient soundtrack that really sets the tone in every level. The game’s overall length is a tad disappointing; you’ll rinse it in just a handful of hours, and there’s little incentive for multiple playthroughs. If you're itching for a decent new stealth title though (and aren’t quite willing to go for the cloud version of Hitman 3), then Disjunction is a glorious homage to the entire genre.

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