Nintendo Life's Scores

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For 5,854 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 Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Lowest review score: 10 153 Hand Video Poker
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,259 out of 5854
  2. Mixed: 2,820 out of 5854
  3. Negative: 775 out of 5854
5862 game reviews
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    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Bravely Second: End Layer
    As a sequel, Bravely Second: End Layer does everything right. It improves on its predecessor in nearly every way, shakes things up enough to still be exciting for players who may have recently poured sixty hours into the first game, and offers a meaningful chance to reconnect with beloved characters. Even better, it's a nearly-perfect JRPG in its own right. Beautiful, well-written, and endlessly engaging in gameplay and story, this is a wonderful example of why people fall in love with the genre.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition
    Each of these games is unique enough to stand on its own accord as an impressive achievement and a whole lot of fun. The writing is sharp and witty, and gameplay is as accessible or as hardcore as you could want it to be. While the story can feel like it's dragging at times, it's tough to hold too many grudges against what feels like padding since the core gameplay is so much fun.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    LEGO Marvel's Avengers
    Fans of LEGO games and the Avengers movies will find plenty to like, but technical shortcomings mean it falls short of its full potential.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Goosebumps: The Game
    Fun visuals and some neat callbacks will keep some fans intrigued, but a weak story haunted by groan-worthy puzzles makes this too directionless and underwhelming to fully recommend.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Outside the Realm
    Outside the Realm has a good puzzle concept going for it, but it lacks the complexity, length, variety, and fine tuning that would make it an addictive experience for many genre fans. Younger players and those looking for a fleeting jaunt might find a fun space experience if they can get past the occasional frustrations. Others might want to chart a course elsewhere.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Project X Zone 2
    All in all, Project X Zone 2 is an enjoyable experience that improves upon some faults present in its predecessor, while adding in some interesting new features.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Space Hulk
    All said, Space Hulk is a fun game with some strong points, but it might not find the audience it's after on Nintendo's console.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    FreezeME
    Fans of Nintendo 64-era 3D platformers will find it hard not to enjoy FreezeMe. The level and character design, mechanics, music and structure are all love letters to the seminal N64 launch game.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Shutshimi
    While the gameplay isn't terribly deep and it gets repetitive in longer sessions, there's plenty here to keep gamers coming back for more. We'd recommend that you pick this game up, it's a great retro shooter with a neat twist.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Peg Solitaire
    If you enjoy complex brainteasers with simple rules, then, this will be a fun but limited way to while away some time. The Wii U's GamePad is far more expensive if you break it out of frustration than a little wooden toy is, though.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    LEVEL 22, Gary's Misadventures
    It's just the right length to avoid overstaying its welcome, and humorous aspects help the player see past what - at the end of the day - is a fairly elementary, albeit relatable, story.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Pet Hospital
    Games like these may be designed exactly for short bursts of play, but when mission objectives consist of the same requirements, with a dull story that lacks quality sprinkled in between, there's barely any fun to be had.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Mini-Games Madness Volume: #1 - Hello World!
    Uninspired, uncreative, and just downright unappealing, Mini-Games Madness Volume: #1 unfortunately has little in its favor to support its existence. The games work, at the very least, but many much better versions exist elsewhere.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Shadow Puppeteer
    The overall impression is a positive one, but occasionally the lights of this puppet show flicker, making the strings visible and taking away a little bit of the magic.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 1: The Order of the Stone
    All told, Minecraft: Story Mode is a wild ride from start to finish, telling a riveting tale filled with plot twists and interesting characters.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy Explorers
    Final Fantasy Explorers feels like an entry point for the genre rather than a true rival to Capcom's crown - it's accessible and enjoyable, but the shallow nature of the gameplay might leave seasoned players feeling a little cold after extended play.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Skeasy
    SKEASY is not going to keep many players' attentions for extended play periods at a time - its gameplay is as simple as simple gets. Some who are looking for an uncomplicated few-minute filler or a way to just chill a bit, however, might find the powder to their liking.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    RV-7 My Drone
    While not visually impressive, RV-7 My Drone is a decently fun title for anyone with spare change and a few spare minutes. It's frustratingly slow to start, but later levels offer more of a thrill and test your reflexes with a unique set of abilities.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    My Pets
    Along with its realistic setting, this is more of a chore than actually being fun.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Slice It!
    Slice It! has a rather simple premise but employs it well. Although it's somewhat one-trick and can have its share of mild nuisances now and then, it's an overall solidly designed game and a good pick for those who want to shave off some time with a few visual puzzles.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The Legend of Dark Witch 2
    The Legend of Dark Witch - Episode 2: The Price of Desire borrows so many great ideas from classic games in its genre, then does absolutely nothing with them.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails
    While it will likely only appeal to a certain demographic, there's more than enough content between the story and creative mode to keep gamers busy for hours, and the achievement system makes a 100% completion that much sweeter. If the concept appeals to you we'd recommend that you pick this one up; it's the best train sim on the 3DS yet.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Bigley's Revenge
    While the game is still a disaster and hard to tolerate for anything longer than a few minutes, one can't help but admire the studio for trying. However, Ninja Pig's undying love of the absurd fails to translate into anything approaching a worthy video game, and Bigley's Revenge is best avoided.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    DreamWorks Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of Legendary Legends
    Fans of the film franchise that want this game purely because it has their favourite panda in it will be treated to an experience way beyond what is usually expected for a movie tie-in, and one that can provide a fun time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Island Flight Simulator
    With very little to actually do and way too much repetition we'd advise you to look elsewhere. To end on a positive note, the loading screen is quite nice.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Near Earth Objects
    Near Earth Objects is simple to pick up and play, only asking that you shuffle yourself around with the D-pad to best keep your ship intact. With a clever variety of enemies that constantly change how you play the game and the audio/visual presentation, it becomes something you can easily sink hours into, floating along in a colour and music-fueled haze.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The Perplexing Orb
    If you truly miss this type of game it may be for you, but the vast majority of players will be better served saving their hard-earned cash.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Avoider
    For such a cheap price it's difficult to expect too much more from this kind of game, but it still feels like this could've used some polishing before being pushed out.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Terraria
    Some patches may improve this experience, and it's a solid entry for those with a New 3DS that fancy some Terraria on the go.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ocean Runner
    This quest for fishy love might not introduce anything noteworthy, but it's still a good bit of fun that just about earns a recommendation for kids and curious adults.
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