Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
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:
5862 game reviews
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Fans of hidden object games are better off leaving this one at the bottom of the deep blue sea.
    • 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.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Diehard fans of hidden object games will likely find much to like in City Mysteries.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Bombing Bastards doesn't stand up to the high standards set by some recent Wii U eShop releases, but it's a competent if unremarkable action puzzler.
    • 52 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Overall this is a good digital representation of the core card game, but players looking for anything more than that won’t find it here.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    AiRace Xeno doesn't do anything we haven't seen before, but it's a finely-crafted time-attack racer that's well worth the low price for fans of sci-fi racing, with luscious visuals and a bumpin' soundtrack.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Players after a truly strategic experience — or who don’t want their war effort sabotaged by a random number generator — will come away disappointed, but those looking for a simplified take on the Second World War will certainly find some fun in conquering the continent.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If you're an action platformer fan with quick thumbs, this is a must-buy.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    An almost obnoxiously simple game like Mysterious Stars: The Singer doesn't seem like it would have much of an audience to begin with, but the fact that it's bound to disappoint that audience is the real problem.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    My Aquarium: Seven Oceans exists solely to be stared at as a form of meditative relaxation. It’s not particularly fun or pretty, but if you’re looking for a DSiWare application that fits a very specific role of emulating a fish tank, then you’ve found it.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A large amount of content, regular new gameplay additions that ensure the game doesn't get stale, a full second set of levels with completely different gameplay, and high replayability have all come together to create the newest must-have eShop title. The occasional framerate hiccups are a downer, but don't detract from the overall experience.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    BrickBlast U! is clunky, boring, frustrating and generic.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    POKER DICE SOLITAIRE FUTURE succeeds as a simple and accessible GamePad application that will allow poker diehards and high-scoring addicts to pass a little time while their television is in use. Unfortunately, it's such a bare-bones package that there's not much incentive to keep returning for more.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Squids Odyssey may not satisfy those looking for a deep RPG experience, but it remains an appealing, charming choice for players wanting kinetic fun with a side of strategy.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    ZaciSa's Last Stand is absolutely a budget title through and through; to its detriment, it feels exactly that. While the gameplay isn't necessarily flawed, it is completely unoriginal and does nothing to draw its players in.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Plain Video Poker can best be described as a game that knows its intended audience. It’s easy to balk at its lack of bells and whistles; and the people who do have every right to feel that there could have been at least a few aesthetic customization options.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Monkey Pirates is a good local multiplayer experience on Wii U, but one that doesn't make the most of the bespoke functionality the system has to offer. Moreover, the game falls down in other key areas, such as a limited single-player mode and AI that is prone to breaking.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you like turn-based strategy and you love Robots in Disguise, this will be a welcome addition to your collection. Besides, it might be the closest we ever get to a Western release of Super Robot Wars.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    SKYPEACE doesn't really do anything wrong, but it doesn't stand out either.
    • 38 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Perhaps the PlayStation and Xbox versions of Rise of the Dark Spark are just as high-quality as their predecessors, but on Wii U, Rise of the Dark Spark is everything Nintendo fans have come to loathe about movie tie-ins and multiplatform gaming: a lazy port with missing features that treats Nintendo players like second-class citizens.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Toy Stunt Bike tries to motor the line between technicality and plain old fun and doesn't do too bad a job of it.
    • 47 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The price point is low enough that big fans of simple mobile strategy games may find something here, but otherwise you may want to skip this Line.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Farming Simulator 14 isn’t the cream of the crop, it’s not a load of crop, it's just struggling to grow and waiting on a little rain to bring better days.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Shovel Knight is more than just a great platformer; it's a celebration of classic gaming.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Yacht Club Games has a hit on its hands with Shovel Knight. With brilliant game design, charming presentation and a ton of content, this is a wonderful first title from the fledgling developer.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    2048 is fun, quick, and just distracting enough to keep you occupied for hours at a time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition is certainly worth consideration for the correct audience, either as a reminder of a genre-defining classic or as a form of gaming education.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This is not an experience for everyone, though we'd suggest that those with a love of adventure games and the download scene should take this one on; it's an important part of gaming history and an education for serious gamers.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Big-budget video games can sometimes seem like faceless products of giant corporations, but when it comes to indie titles there's much more personal accountability.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It's a cleverly-designed puzzler with a bright tone and fantastic music that will appeal to children and adults alike; if this is your first foray into the shape-matching series, though, you're probably better off with the superior value of the original.

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