Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
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:
5867 game reviews
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If you're looking for a "game" which you can play a few minutes every day that doesn't really require a lot of effort, Hello Flowerz is probably your best bet.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Let’s School is a business simulator dressed up as a school simulator, with a heavy focus on the business side of keeping a school operating and not much on the warm, fuzzy feeling that you might get from education and helping kids reach their goals. There are some visual bugs and some frustrating menu layouts to deal with in the Switch version of the game, but there is a deep, engaging – if a bit soulless – simulator here.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Enter The Gungeon die-hards will be instantly familiar with the weird and wonderful world presented by Exit The Gungeon, but they might be taken aback by the shift in gameplay. This is a finely honed action-platformer that adds a new dimension to the blasting and dodge rolling. It's not always a flawless transition, and this is a significantly less rich and rewarding experience than the original. But those after a retro-tinged arcade challenge should by all means lock and load.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Marvel Maximum Collection does what it sets out to do well, and its bringing together of titles from various developers is what makes it so interesting. With all the console variations, the library on offer is large, and the emulation quality feels tactile and fairly accurate (although diehard enthusiasts will probably find something to gripe about). It must be noted, though, that there are no truly 'great' games here, and the quality of offerings ranges from 'good fun' and 'worth sticking with' to 'not much fun', 'frustrating', and 'rather poor'. It’s an admirable attempt to combine some of the more prominent retro Marvel titles into a nostalgia package, and Konami’s arcade game is the icing on the cake. Just keep in mind that nostalgia, and not an assembling of gaming’s finest, is what’s driving this thing.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Picross e2 is yet another fun Picross game, but for the most part it simply feels like an expansion pack for the previous title. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, especially when the core gameplay is so entertaining.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Lego Bricktales isn’t perfect, but it offers up a refreshingly unique experience relative to the litany of action platformers based on licensed IP we’ve been getting for nearly two decades now. We sincerely appreciated the focus on low-stress building puzzles that encourage and reward creative solutions. It's the kind of game that you just take at your own pace and lose yourself for a bit to the relaxing tunes and simple act of building. It's a shame, then, that awkward controls hamper your creativity and hold it back from greatness. Couple that with performance issues on Switch, and we'd recommend playing on PC if you can. Still, Bricktales is the closest thing in years that a Lego video game has gotten to the actual feeling of playing with Lego, and those of you who appreciate the famous toy will find something to love here.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's fun, addicting, and at only 200 Nintendo Points, worth every crazy penny.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fans of the show and of complicated RPGs will no doubt find plenty to love here in the likable characters, complex character customization, and frantic battle system while those who would consider themselves to be unfamiliar with RPGs or the anime will no doubt be put off by the uneven, sometimes cringe-worthy writing, lack of effective tutorials, and general tedium present throughout the whole experience. We’d give Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization a recommendation overall – this is a good, quality RPG – just make sure you do a bit of research in advance to confirm that it’s what you’re looking for.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While AiRace Speed is a bigger dish than its DSiWare equivalent, the limited scope still feels like that of a side course than a main meal.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Of Mice and Sand -Revised- does a lot of things right; a mixture of quests, resource management, and a necessity for clever thinking result in a decent experience for the most dedicated fans of the genre. Unfortunately, though, a lack of clear direction and a tricky-to-master workflow mean that it likely won’t quite click with everyone else; these games work best when you find yourself addicted to their menial tasks and, this time around, that sadly wasn’t always the case. Not a bad option to consider for fans of tactical management, then, but be wary of our warnings if you do choose to give it a go.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    We love a good arcade racing game, and in many ways Mini Motor Racing X delivers thrills in spades; it’s a reasonably fast, responsive experience with loads of vehicles and tracks to try out. Ultimately, though, there’s just nothing here that really stands out; nothing to tear you away from Mario Kart 8 or Rocket League. It’s quite content with being an entertaining alternative, and if you’re happy with that, then you’ll have a good time.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Resident Evil 6 will always have its fair share of naysayers, and that’s completely fine. It’s easy to disregard it thanks to its blatant effort to appeal to as many gamers as humanly possible, and in doing so largely losing its identity in the process. But it’s certainly not a bad game, and in terms of pure gameplay, it’s arguably far more accomplished than its immediate predecessor, albeit with a more disappointing story-line. If you’re after a straight-up action shooter, you could do a lot worse than Resident Evil 6, but if you’re looking for an experience similar to the earlier games in the series, then you definitely won’t find that here.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There are very few games like Curious Expedition available on the eShop at the time of writing, and that unique identity is something not to be dismissed out of hand. The hexagon map design, punishing difficulty, and focus on emergent events help Curious Expedition build its case, but the simplistic visuals and lack of overarching progression do hinder its appeal. If you’re pining for a more punishing and simpler RPG experience that calls back to the days of tabletop gaming, Curious Expedition is quite literally made for you. If that’s not your cup of tea, then we’d encourage you to more closely examine whether this is something you really feel like dropping the cash on. Curious Expedition is a rewarding and enjoyable roguelite, but it‘s far from a necessary buy.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Gamers who aren't artistic or don't like the childish aesthetic should stay away, while the repetitive exploration segments and control issues are negatives for anyone.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hoa
    Young players still green to the simple story ideas and to platforming fundamentals will find absolute magic in Hoa. The orchestral score and hand-painted backdrops have the power to whisk imaginations away like nothing else. The tried-and-true design of a modern platform game, while unsurprising to seasoned players, will delight budding gamers getting to know the genre. Apart from its closing stage, Hoa is a paint-by-numbers platformer – and the painting is exceptional, even if everything stays carefully inside the lines.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is a game that is brimming with great ideas that are, sadly, poorly executed.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Typoman remains a refreshing combination of platform-adventure and word puzzler, with a particularly creative use of words and letters as physical tools. It's undoubtedly spoiled by frustratingly clunky platforming mechanics and a lack of clarity in some of its design, but those after something a little bit different and cerebral should give it a spin.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As a first attempt at releasing FIFA on Switch, EA has nailed the look and feel and given us a brilliant console and (more notably) handheld game. For that reason alone, Nintendo fans – especially those who haven’t owned a good football game in a while – should consider this a must-buy. This won’t be enough next year, though: a few little additions aside this is essentially a Legacy Edition port, and while EA Bucharest gets the benefit of the doubt this time as its relatively new to Switch development, if the inevitable FIFA 19 doesn’t have full mode parity with the other main versions of the game then no amount of spin will justify it.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Behind a laundry list of complaints is an exceptional game of pinball and a loving tribute to the star-spanning story of good vs. evil, but compared to the Wii U version it’s a downgrade in almost every way.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    You’re being treated here, not to a replica of 16-bit graphics, but the genuine article, and that in itself carries a wonderful charm. With varied locales and great music, River City Girls Zero cleverly all takes place in pseudo real-time, the sun setting into night and eventually dawning again as you near end of your journey. It's an endearing romp across a quaintly rendered Japanese urban landscape that continually offers new places to scrap — from fairground rides and collapsing buildings to nightclubs and sun-drenched bays — all becoming especially colourful in the last hour. While it’s very much a game of its era, River City Girls Zero is still rewarding for those interested in experiencing one of the saga’s more creative entries.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Romancing SaGa – Minstrel Song – Remastered ambitions and achievements still feel fresh today. The open-world system is remarkably well-implemented and the multiple-protagonist approach feels modern even in a game that has been on the market for decades, but control issues, the vague nature of the game, and a slow progression system drag it down. Unfortunately, this is a cult classic JRPG that is less than the sum of its parts.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Choosing between download passes or this compilation is down to individual preferences and budget, but those keen to try all five sports in the most convenient way should certainly consider the disc-based route.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    What could have been another must-have Wii 2D platformer, A Shadow's Tale is still worth your time as long as you keep your expectations in check.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Mario Party: Star Rush may not excel in many ways, but it addresses some complaints from past entries and delivers some harmless entertainment. We're not sure you should rush out to buy it, but it still shows that Mario and company can be stars of a party.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection stays true to its sources and brings a little piece of history into the modern age. Unfortunately, dull mechanics and often unwieldy UI plague many of the games in the collection just as they did on first release, although amidst 14 titles, it would be impossible not to have a couple of winners. For us, Monster Capsule and the two World Championship Tournament titles shone through beautifully. Although the included games are certainly imperfect, we recognise the intentionality behind the collection’s curation and feel that it’s an excellent time capsule of the origins of the iconic Yu-Gi-Oh! Series.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's a shame that Wii Party seems to rely so heavily on arbitrary equalisers, resulting in several underwhelming minis, but the range of diversity and charm is more than enough to pull you in for a while.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite its problems, Tokyo Crash Mobs remains an entertaining and enjoyable romp, and there's more than enough of the classic Puzz Loop brilliance to make it a worthwhile download, especially if you're already a card-carrying fan of Mitchell Corporation's work. It's just a shame that it doesn't improve dramatically on the existing entries in the series, because this is one franchise that deserves to have a genuine renaissance.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Unfortunately, the game's limited modes and the absence of multiplayer result in an experience that is lacking in replay value. Nevertheless, it's a valiant effort from Ludosity and well worth your money if you're looking for a solid pick-up-and-play title to indulge in every now and again.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There isn't enough within the story or characters to keep the player interested beyond that however, so make sure you're up for a challenge and want a simple little distraction before diving in.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Not much has changed since its Wii U and 3DS days, but Unlimited World Red is still a swashbuckling good time for anime action aficionados. The handful of extra quests and costumes included in this ‘Deluxe Edition’ probably won’t be enough to tempt anyone into double (or triple) dipping, but excellent visuals and drop-in co-op with single Joy Con controls make the Switch version a great place to jump in. It’s a shame that there isn’t more of an effort to introduce Oda’s incredible world to players unfamiliar with the manga source material, but if you’re already a Straw Hat supporter this is an easy recommendation.

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