Nintendo Life's Scores
- Games
For 5,857 reviews, this publication has graded:
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45% higher than the average critic
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18% same as the average critic
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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: | The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest review score: | Lawnmower Game: Racing |
Score distribution:
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Positive: 2,261 out of 5857
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Mixed: 2,820 out of 5857
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Negative: 776 out of 5857
5865
game
reviews
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- Critic Score
Blast Brigade is a difficult game to review. It's a lot of fun and we enjoyed our 20 or so hours with it, mopping up secrets and collectables. We can't recommend it enough if you've still got a hankering for Metroidvanias, but those exhausted with the formula aren't going to find any major deviations here. Perhaps we would feel differently had the game come out a couple of years ago, but now? Blast Brigade is still a terrific Metroidvania, and one of the best we've played outside of the very tippy-top tier (Symphony of the Night, et al). Get it straight away if you even slightly think you will enjoy it, because you almost certainly will. It has the same affection packed into it as the likes of Kaze and the Wild Masks, a real love letter to Metroidvanias. Truly exceptional it isn't, but Blast Brigade remains a great time if you're not suffering from genre fatigue.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Apr 24, 2022
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DC's Justice League: Cosmic Chaos is a fun action brawler with a wide enough range of difficulty levels to appeal to both younger players and older superhero fans who aren't above watching funny cartoons. Its technical issues and lack of co-op let it down, but what's there is an entertaining game that'll last you a decent time.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Mar 15, 2023
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Despite some visual shortfalls, Capes is a very solid turn-based strategy game that takes the best bits of XCOM 2 and gives it the superhero treatment. The tactical gameplay will have you thinking of the best way to position your growing roster of heroes on each turn to help you save King City from the nefarious Company. Even a predictable plot doesn't undermine how well-balanced and fun Capes is to play. Strategy and comic book fans will find plenty to enjoy here.- Nintendo Life
- Posted May 24, 2024
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Steamworld Heist II expands upon its predecessor’s solid foundation, offering a more complex and ambitious experience that rewards patience and careful planning. While the increased difficulty and expanded mechanics may deter some players, those willing to invest time and tweak things to suit their preferences will find a deeply satisfying tactical adventure.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Aug 12, 2024
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It’s a clichéd summary, but Avicii: Invector is better than it has any right to be, and a fitting tribute to an artist who died tragically young. It’s a huge boost if you already enjoy his music, but even haters will have to respect the work that’s gone into this fast-paced, well-designed rhythm action title. It’s just a shame that Tim Bergling never had a chance to see it come together so nicely. Still, until we get Pet Shop Boys: Invector, it’s the best single-artist music game we’ve had the pleasure of playing.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Oct 14, 2020
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Golf Story is a surprisingly gripping game, hooking you with fantastic gameplay, loads of content, and a well-written script. This is one that’ll have you coming back for many hours in the story mode alone, and the multiplayer does a good job of expanding on this with even more replayability. We would highly recommend Golf Story to anyone looking for something a little different. There’s a whole lot to love here, and if you’re a fan of RPGs or golf games, this is a must buy.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Sep 30, 2017
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The cumbersome title and suspicious cuteness of The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave may scare off a few gamers, but those who give it a chance will find themselves immersed in a genuinely creative and surprisingly challenging world. The animation is charming and smooth, the soundtrack passively gorgeous, and the experience long and rewarding.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Sep 27, 2012
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Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a solid, but uneven remake that nonetheless stands as a strong reminder of the cool ideas that this franchise brings to the table. To its credit, Fatal Frame II very competently executes on the survival horror blueprint. Locales are sufficiently spooky, materials are scarce without feeling too limited, and when you’re creeping around environments scouring for health pickups and stashed notes, there’s a grand sense of building dread. Unfortunately, this is sometimes rapidly deflated through things like drawn-out enemy encounters and some performance snafus. If you’re at all a fan of the franchise or survival horror in general, I’d give this one a recommendation because it ultimately hits much more than it misses. But for genre newcomers, I’d first recommend playing any of Capcom’s Resident Evils from the past several years (or even something a little more low-key like Signalis or Crow Country) before taking the plunge on this one. Fatal Frame 2 isn’t quite the home run some may have hoped for, but it’s an overall enjoyable and worthwhile experience that I’d suggest picking up at some point.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Mar 10, 2026
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Capcom Fighting Collection does exactly what it sets out to do, and bar a few very minor presentational oversights, is a product with years of longevity. It’s a shame to lose those bonus characters present in previous console releases, and you do need to consider what appeals to you when considering a purchase. If you want the best Darkstalkers collection, look no further. If you want to experience Red Earth and take it online, the time has finally arrived. Or, for Street Fighter II diehards, Anniversary Edition’s modernised netcode really lets you be a world warrior…Bar Red Earth, however, this isn’t the first time these games have been released, and it surely won’t be the last. A purchasing decision comes down to how many times you have bought these titles before, how much time you spend on MAME (which has been a viable, albeit illegal, option for years) or whether or not you just want the most polished, accurate, easy-access fighting game experience to date, either at home on your TV or portably on the go. If you fall into the latter category, it’s a no-brainer.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Jun 21, 2022
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Despite some re-release shortcomings, SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium remains not only a charming piece of history, but a comprehensive fighting game with impressively taut elasticity. Bursting with move-sets that accurately mirror the arcade counterparts from which they’re derived, it represents the moment that a legendary rivalry thawed out and shook hands, and a fanfare for SNK’s excellent but ill-fated handheld. There also remains something special about having so many faces from so many different series occupying the same screen space, and in such good spirits. Seeing pocket-sized Kyo and Chun-Li battle it out on her Great Wall stage or Ken and Ryu’s fireballs trailing across Krauser’s cathedral is an experience worth revisiting. It’s an object of both its time and format, and you need to be prepared for that; but SNK versus Capcom? That really is the match of the millennium.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Feb 20, 2021
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With the purity of its twitch platforming mechanics and the clever way developer Demimonde exploits user-generated platforms, Octahedron: Transfixed Edition certainly lives up to its new subtitle. The soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission – especially if you’re partial to some big EDM beats – and if you’ve ever enjoyed the likes of Downwell, Crypt of the NecroDancer or Celeste, this TRON-loving indie is likely to entrance you.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Jan 14, 2019
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It's accomplished platforming within Yoshi's quirky and unique template, and has enough soft cuteness to charm young gamers and melt the hearts of the most jaded of veteran gamers.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Jun 22, 2015
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Immortals Fenyx Rising tries to capture lightning in a bottle with its Breath of the Wild-inspired gameplay, but ends up being more of a lightning thief; it's not as nice to look at and the puzzles aren't as satisfying. Still, the combat is fun, the storytelling is excellent and, despite not being anywhere near as polished as Nintendo's 2017 effort, it certainly does a passable impression. If you crave more Zelda and don't mind the off-brand version, go for it, but if for some reason you still haven't played Breath of the Wild, then that's the game to go for.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Nov 30, 2020
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While staying true to the series that it extends, Cotton Rock ‘n’ Roll / Fantasy brings so many different experiences in a single shmup that it may as well be a compilation release — and unlike the arcade versions, it is all presented in English language. The more time you give it, the more the replay value snowballs. The faults to be found are few and far between, while sharp level design and a joyful, even mischievous personality define Success’ latest. Simply put, Cotton Fantasy has a lot of fun to give.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Jan 17, 2022
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River City Girls 2 is more River City Girls, feeling less like a full-fledged sequel and more like a RCG 1.5. Switch-related performance issues aside, it was still a great time to return to River City thanks to its phenomenal music and voice acting, sharp writing, gorgeous sprite work, fun new characters, and satisfying combo-based gameplay, but at launch it feels a patch or two away from greatness. If you loved the original as we did, you’re bound to like this follow-up, and we hope the team at Wayforward gets more time and money to really expand the series for a third entry.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Dec 13, 2022
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Mortal Kombat 11 is the best Mortal Kombat since MK2, a bold and bombastic entry that boasts a fighting model that finally matches the slapstick theatrics of gory Fatalities. It's further proof that MK, much like Street Fighter, has just as much relevance today as it did in the '90s thanks to the way its evolved while retaining its core identity. On Switch, it's a performance-first experience that nails 60fps, and boasts every mode and mechanic from other versions, only with a noticeable downgrade in the aesthetics department. The heavy-handed application of microtransactions makes customisation far less appealing than it should, but if NetherRealm can redress the balance, MK11 could be a contender for the best fighter on Nintendo Switch.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Apr 26, 2019
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Approached with the knowledge that this is a full-featured side-dish, you'll have a very good time hacking and slashing your way through Calamity Ganon's minions in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity; just remember that despite its sparkling presentation, it is still not a Zelda game. What it is is a brilliant Zelda-infused Musou experience filled with varied and satisfying combat and Breath of the Wild additions that work beautifully within the boundaries of the Warriors template. The care and attention given to detail here is hugely impressive. We found performance to be adequate and, crucially, it didn't affect our enjoyment throughout — just be prepared for a slideshow once the pyrotechnics start in two-player co-op. In many ways, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity could be exactly the game you need right now.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Nov 18, 2020
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It suffers from some rehashing, and not everyone will find the humour up their alley, but fans of AVGN who also don't mind a good platforming struggle shouldn't hesitate to pick this one up.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Apr 6, 2015
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The Spectrum Retreat is a valiant stab at a Portal-esque puzzler which largely pulls off what it sets out to achieve. It lacks the dynamite script and surgical timing of Valve’s masterpiece, but the test chambers (sorry, ‘authentication challenges’) withstand the comparison. If Gone Home’s pace is a touch too navel-gazing for your liking, we’d heartily recommend a trip to The Penrose Hotel.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Sep 13, 2018
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Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle goes well beyond a standard ROM compilation due to proper curation of the source material, and it successfully shines an overdue spotlight onto a sizeable selection of 8-bit Kunio masterpieces that most Western players never had the chance to experience. Contrary to what the tile may suggest, the NES games included end up being merely filler, while the real thrillers are undoubtedly the Famicom games, accessible to non-Japanese gamers for the first time here. A very large offering of varied single-player content complements nearly infinite multiplayer replayability, provided you keep it local, of course, as finding a game online is borderline impossible.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Mar 3, 2020
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Playing Ibb & Obb on your own is an absolute no-go; it just won't work. But get together with a friend – preferably via local play – and you'll have an absolute blast with this game. Some of the puzzles can be excruciatingly challenging at first, but it's immensely satisfying when you finally figure out how to beat it together. It's yet another fine co-op title to add to the Switch's library.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Mar 21, 2020
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The enemies you face are never particularly difficult to beat, but controlling Peet is surprisingly twitchy at times, and you’ll often run into a creature by accident, immediately taking away one of your hearts. Additionally, we simply wish the game was a bit longer. The content that’s here really is a joy to experience, and we’re of course conscious that artificially lengthening the game would no doubt diminish its value, but we can’t deny a certain level of disappointment after completing it in just a few short hours.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Jul 25, 2020
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With only three modes to choose from, we wish there was a bit more meat on Boomerang Fu’s bones. The Golden Boomerang mode is a welcome change from the standard Deathmatch, but not one that’s going to keep your attention for long, and unfortunately, there’s no story mode or any semblance of plot. There are plenty of gameplay modifiers to alter how the matches play out, but ultimately, Boomerang Fu’s longevity will largely depend on how often you’re able to play local multiplayer rather than against AI bots. Still, it‘s an adorable, hilarious experience that’s great fun in short bursts.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Aug 31, 2020
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With its unique use of portals, Unbound: Worlds Apart is a great platform title with a flutter of Metroidvania in the mix. The framerate can be a tad annoying, chugging along at frequent intervals, but thankfully it's never quite disruptive enough to ruin the experience. If you like portals (and come on, who doesn't?), then this is definitely a game worth checking out.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Aug 1, 2021
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Although Tormented Souls is a commendable homage to classic survival horror games, its focus on the past is unfortunately its biggest downfall.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Apr 13, 2022
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Hatch Tales, as late as it is in arriving, has ended up really surprising us. This is a delightful retro platformer, full of challenge and focus, that gives you a whole bunch of fun ways to play. Even with just the core campaign, with its smart level design and laser-like focus on doing what it's doing very well, we'd have been satisfied, but the addition of retro Chick Wiggle and Mutant Mudds modes, alongside the online creation offerings, make for a very tidy package indeed, thank you very much.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Oct 30, 2024
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Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland proves to be a great entry in Gust’s long-running series, and much like the many concoctions made by Lulua, this is a refined final product that reflects several of the best traits of the predecessors that came before. If you can get past the ho-hum storytelling and learn to master the intimidating crafting system, you’ll find that Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland has plenty to offer in its surprisingly involved combat system, gorgeous locales, and rewarding gameplay loops. We would give this game a strong recommendation to both longtime fans of the series and to those looking to see what it’s all about; Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland is one of the best entries in the franchise and it’s a wonderful RPG that’s certainly worth your time.- Nintendo Life
- Posted May 26, 2019
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Sure the game is a bit predictable at times and there aren't as many modern Castlevania conveniences as some might hope for, but at its core, this is yet another extremely playable and enjoyable 2D Castlevania experience and when it comes right down to it, there could never be too much of that for diehard fans of the series, new or old.- Nintendo Life
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May not be the definitive version of Snake's Cold War escapades but that doesn't stop it from being a clever, well thought-out and simply great game - frame rate hiccups aside, the impressive and intelligent use of stereoscopic 3D makes the game an absolute joy to look at as well.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Feb 28, 2012
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Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is a stunningly beautiful game balanced by its fair share of weird humour. While not mechanically complex, it’s a charming slice-of-life game that will likely delight any fans of the Crayon Shin-Chan series.- Nintendo Life
- Posted Oct 23, 2024
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