Nintendo Life's Scores

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For 5,859 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:
  1. Positive: 2,261 out of 5859
  2. Mixed: 2,822 out of 5859
  3. Negative: 776 out of 5859
5867 game reviews
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    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Picross S 7
    Other than the touch controls, this is pretty much the same game you’ve played countless times before and we can assure you it’s the same one that will come out in yet another few months. Some other notable changes can be found in the chilly winter theming of the menus you navigate and the new foray into *checks notes* Drum and Bass music for the main menu theme. Other than that, it’s another few hundred nonogram puzzles just like the last several hundred nonogram puzzles. But who are we kidding, at least this one is, er, innovative in how it boldly introduces an all-new control scheme — one which, admittedly, returns from the (3)DS era of the long-running series. At this rate, we might even get HD rumble support in another four years when we get Picross S15. Imagine what that would feel like! Anyways, you should buy this game.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Morsels
    Morsels is a pleasingly nightmarish experience, with an oppressive atmosphere and an aesthetic that sets it apart from its peers.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition
    There will inevitably be Kirby fans who will complain that more Kirby games weren't included or that none of the titles got any type of visual makeover, but it's difficult to complain too much given how many amazing Kirby titles have been collected onto one Wii disc, not to mention the fun bonus items and mini games that are also included. No doubt most Nintendo fans will have already played these games many times over, but it's still nice to see Nintendo giving their fluffy protagonist a little fanfare for 20 years of charming gaming magic.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
    Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing is, despite its flaws, a well-crafted racer that’s clearly had a lot of good design work put into it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Retro City Rampage
    Retro City Rampage is a unique offering on WiiWare, with an utterly chaotic sense of gameplay and storytelling that's as baffling as it is often brilliant.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!
    Bigger and more fully featured than ever, BOXBOY! + BOXGIRL! marks a high point in this quirky puzzle-platformer series. It's not perfect - the stripped back aesthetic and lethargic physics won't be everyone's cup of tea - but fans of co-op puzzlers, in particular, should investigate pronto.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Resident Evil: Origins Collection
    Both games look great on Switch and the ability to play on-the-go helps alleviate some of the frustrations inherent to their old-fashioned systems, giving them the best possible opportunity to win you over in a modern context. Capcom's shady cart-based practices aside, there’s ultimately no better way to sample that original survival horror formula in 2019, provided you’ve got the stomach - and the space on your system memory - for it.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Pop 'Em Drop 'Em Samegame
    SameGame is deceptively simple and one of the most incredibly addictive puzzle games ever, Hudson have done an excellent job of bringing the classic game up to date on WiiWare.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Kirby Fighters 2
    Given that it arrived with practically zero fanfare, Kirby Fighters 2 is a surprisingly brilliant Smash Bros.-style spin-off that simplifies its big brother's control system but still offers a healthy amount of depth with its 22-character roster. Its Story mode, in particular, is a clever and compelling way to make each battle feel important, and that mode alone lasts long enough to make it a worthwhile purchase for solo and co-op gamers.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Heave Ho
    Heave Ho doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of Snipperclips, but it’s still one of the best couch co-op titles to hit the Switch. It encourages communication and careful planning, but remains utterly chaotic and achingly hilarious, with a fantastic selection of unique costumes to unlock as you progress. The fact that you’ll face the same stages whether you’re playing multiplayer or single player is undoubtedly a big disappointment, but it’s great fun whatever way you decide to play it.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Paper Airplane Chase
    It is rich with pick-up-and-play gameplay – a highly valued feature is any genre. We played it, we enjoyed it; maybe you will too.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Freedom Finger
    Freedom Finger is a completely unexpected retro shooter banger. Its unique hand-drawn style, amazing soundtrack, highly offensive humour and various unique and clever gameplay mechanics all come together to deliver a beautifully anarchic ride through a madcap campaign that backs up its brash stylings with solid and challenging gameplay. The humour and difficulty absolutely might not be for everyone, but if you love a properly tough shmup – and don’t mind a constant stream of politically incorrect filth and abuse being hurled in your direction by some of the biggest names in video game acting – this one comes highly recommended.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Monster Prom: XXL
    Some will find Monster Prom: XXL rubs them the wrong way – the outcome of the game often feels quite random – but it's about the journey and sharing its eccentricity with your friends. It doesn't rival the Jackbox series, but it captures a similar and very welcome vibe which could turn it into a monster hit.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    20XX
    Playing 20XX has an addictive rhythm to everything. You dive into the level, find loot like upgrades and currency bolts, kill bosses to take their weapons, and keep pushing until you die. After dying we’d often suffer from that 'just one more run' itch that’s so common in roguelikes and the formula fits an action platformer like 20XX perfectly. The procedural engine does a good job of mixing things up, but after a while you can start to see a little repetition, but that’s easily overshadowed by the sheer variety and amount of upgrades and customisation.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Chronos Twins
    Not only does the game bring an interesting and unique gameplay mechanic to the table, it also manages to surround it with smooth controls and a lot of personality.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Bomberman R 2
    Super Bomberman R 2 is a triumphant and feature-rich return for the explosive icon. The new Castle mode brings some interesting twists to the classic formula (though the level editor feels like it could use a little more work) while all the chaotic arcade gameplay that’s carried this series for 40 years proves to be just as compelling as it’s always been. Pair that addictive gameplay with an extensive multiplayer suite and lots of unlockables, and you’ve got something that’s easy to recommend to anyone looking for the next great multiplayer release to break out on game night. It’s a little less easy to recommend if you intend on playing entirely solo—the single-player offering is a bit thin here—but the endless replayability of the online component makes it a great pick otherwise.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Talisman: Digital Edition
    “Hot seat” style play is available, with you passing the Switch between your friends, alongside the more traditional multiplayer gameplay with everyone using their own controller. In a welcome addition, there’s also cross-platform online play, so you’ll be able to play with friends on the Steam, Android and iOS versions. Ultimately, it’s an extremely well-made conversion of a beloved board game to a system that’s pretty much perfect for it. The only real caveats are the excess of DLC and – let’s face it – the fairly unbalanced gameplay of the original Talisman. It’s a wonderful version of a game we love, but if you demand an absolutely level playing field in your entertainment, you may want to knock a point or two off this score.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dandy Dungeon: Legend of Brave Yamada
    Having shaken off the free-to-play nature of its origins – Yamada had a set amount of stamina on mobile, meaning he could only code his game for a certain amount of time each day – Dandy Dungeon embraces all of the brilliant little quirks that make it a great game in its own right. The light-hearted take on one man’s inability to separate reality from fantasy really works as a great conceit for the overall game, while the puzzle-like approach to combat and exploration makes the now rather tired world of roguelites feel instantly more refreshing. Don’t let this little gem pass you by.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Max: The Curse of Brotherhood
    It isn’t quite perfect, and there are several small areas where we feel the game could be improved, but ultimately we had a great time playing through the adventure and enjoyed the core mechanic.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    OPUS: The Day We Found Earth
    Opus: The Day We Found Earth is a lovely little game. At more or less the length of a movie, it’s not going to keep you entertained for the weekend, but it’s perfect for a quiet night in. Digital stargazing is a surprisingly compelling pursuit, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with OPUS - it’s charming, affecting and proof positive that the Switch can be a wonderful storyteller.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Zero Gunner 2-
    This is a refreshingly unique take on the shmup genre which has some neat ideas but also builds on Psikyo's other good work – the amazing transforming bosses the company is famous for reach their pinnacle here. The biggest problem is that Zero Gunner 2 lacks longevity, even when you take the two-player mode, multiple difficulty levels and (offline) high score table into account. With that said, it's still an essential download for shooter fans and is creative enough to be recommended to those who have a passing interest in the genre but want something a little different.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Xeodrifter
    It's not an adventure for the faint of heart, but there's no reason that Xeodrifter should be overlooked by platforming fans – especially those missing a little Samus Aran in their lives.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Joe Dever's Lone Wolf
    A unique combination of interactive fiction and involving RPG mechanics, Joe Dever's Lone Wolf is quite unlike anything else on the Switch eShop. Some occasionally fiddly controls betray the game's provenance, but those after a fresh adventure with a rich fantasy story will find a lot to like here.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    SHMUP Collection
    Satazius is the pick of the pack and almost worth the asking price in itself, but if you enjoy the shmup genre then Shmup Collection is a package that will keep on giving. There's nothing in the way of extras outside of each game's respective practice/stage select mode (and a "Tate" mode for Wolflame, for those with a Flip Grip), but you won't find yourself wanting. This is an impressive bundle of joy at a very competitive price. We just hope it'll be followed by a second instalment; Astro Port has a lot of awesome games in its catalogue and we'd love to see them find a second home on Switch.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In Stars And Time
    In Stars and Time can be unforgiving, but if you’re a sucker for story-driven RPGs with roguelite mechanics and tricky puzzles, you won’t find many better options out there. It’s a difficult game to beat quickly, with our initial run taking us just over the 45-hour mark. Aside from the small problems like some unclear visual cues and minor lag issues, the game plays brilliantly. The characters are loveable and feel incredibly authentic, and the story is deeply engaging. Just be warned — almost every item becomes important at some stage. There are heaps of rooms, hidden passages, and corridors, and you’ll need to remember where everything is if you want to progress. Keep a pen and paper handy.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Don't Die, Mr. Robot!
    A simple but terribly addictive little game that goes very well side-by-side with other trippy digital Switch arcade offers such as Namco’s Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus. If you happen to be having a stressful day, nothing better than pumping up the volume and just play Chill Out mode to eventual bliss.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Until Then
    While I do appreciate a slow burn, there were definitely a few scenes that outstayed their welcome. One in particular sees Mark simply trying to keep himself entertained at home: he watches TV, plays games, and even chats to random strangers on his phone. It demonstrates his boredom and loneliness well, but I think the same goal could have been accomplished a bit quicker. Mark's bored, but that doesn’t mean I need to be.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
    Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is the kind of game that makes you want improve. Chaining death with balletic grace feels so liberating that you don’t want to be interrupted in your flow. The way it implements all of its mechanics, along with increasingly interesting, beautiful, and ever-taut stage design, is a treat, and a truly linear arcade-style DLC would be a blessing should one ever transpire. While some Talismans can be purchased to actually make the game harder, the base challenge will certainly test you. It's a real shame about that frame-rate judder, but in terms of seductive 2D Ninja action, it lands squarely on catlike feet. SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, you have been challenged to a duel.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden - Deluxe Edition
    Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is one of the best additions to the tactical RPG genre years; a well-written and rewarding experience that combines the creative use of stealth found in the legacy of its ex-Hitman developers with a world that’s full of interesting characters and ideas. Almost every game in this genre lives in the shadow of XCOM, but Mutant offers enough new ideas to set itself apart. The visual downgrade on the Switch version can be a little hard on the eye, but considering how this sacrifice has preserved the quality of the game within, we’d call that a worthy trade-off.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tin Hearts
    Tin Hearts is a lovely little puzzler that's engaging and emotional in equal measure. It takes all the right inspiration from Lemmings but manages to stand on its own two feet with a unique visual style, clever mechanics, and a wonderful narrative told effortlessly during gameplay. Technical hiccups pull it back from true greatness, including a choppy frame rate and jarring camera movements, but if you're after a relaxing puzzler that's not too taxing on the ol' noggin, then you really can't go too wrong with this.
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