Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
For 5,880 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 Shantae: Risky's Revenge
Lowest review score: 10 Hockey Allstar Shootout
Score distribution:
5888 game reviews
    • 54 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    While Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir has a genuinely interesting premise, it's let down early by its own technological limitations, and the disappointment is fairly consistent from there.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    We Sing Pop does exactly what you'd expect from a karaoke game, fleshing out the experience with a variety of modes that make minor adjustments to the basic act of singing along to a song. It's fun for a party, with modes that allow non-competitive sing-alongs or deadly face-offs, but those playing solo may wish for a basic career mode beyond pointless achievements.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I Must Run! is a challenging but nonetheless entertaining entry into the 'runner' genre, and while its linear storyline isn't going to be for everybody due to its high demands, that's not all it has to offer. The endless mode is just as tough but leaves out the lives and set level lengths so that you can focus on beating your own distances and times alone, though lack of online leaderboard support is disappointing and undermines its potential.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 10 Critic Score
    Anne's Doll Studio: Tokyo Collection seems tailor-made to incur our displeasure. As an unnecessary and overpriced sequel to a game that was unnecessary and overpriced to begin with, we certainly didn't expect much of it, but by removing features from an already flawed formula it ends up disappointing even our lowest expectations. We're very much looking forward to the next release in the series, which at this rate we have to assume will consist of nothing but an unresponsive title screen.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Though lacking in any type of structured play, Colors! 3D's robust free drawing system and unique ability to let anyone create their own three-dimensional artwork more than make up for this.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This title has much to recommend it, as long as you're willing to look beyond some of its faults.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Penguin Patrol aims to provide one thing: a well made game of clever movement puzzles. At that, it absolutely succeeded. There's really nothing more to it than that, however, and the experience as a whole does feel rather slight.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A title overflowing with charm and verve, with a style that can entertain children and adults alike. It has a couple of missteps, the biggest of which is the occasional use of gyroscope controls, while simple puzzles and missing object searches don't quite match the title's overall quality.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    SpeedThru is quite similar to ThruSpace with a graphical makeover, and can be cleared quite quickly and easily if you're not particularly interested in getting good scores. If you are, however, the game can last you quite a while, and for those who quite enjoyed its predecessor, the new level types are worth checking out.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The Island of Diamonds isn't going to win any new gamers, but it's a fitting conclusion to a series that tried its hardest and ended up falling just short.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While it may appear to be fairly frivolous at first glance, at its heart it is a substantial experience, well balanced to be either dauntingly complex or an RPG-lite, depending on the player's wishes.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Completely average in every way. It has a few control related quirks that certainly rub us the wrong way, but overall the game's biggest crime is that it doesn't attempt to provide much of an experience at all.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Arc Style: Soccer!! 3D has its share of bizarre design choices, but the appeal of creating your own team from scratch, player by player, and pitting them against teams designed by your friends is undeniable. Unfortunately this requires you to have friends who own the game, and the single player experience doesn't measure up nearly as well.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    An impressive range of modes and variations, alongside a decent local multiplayer offering, means that experienced players can have a handy computer simulation that serves its purpose. This title is let down, however, by unappealing visuals, with ugly avatars and the useful details on game rules being undermined by the bland presentation.
    • 45 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Rhythm games and zombie slashers both have the potential to be a lot of fun, but their marriage here in Zombie Slayer Diox is one of conflict, and the weaknesses of both genres are far more vividly on display than the strengths.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A simple game, but that's not a bad thing. The warm, welcome graphics and fantastic music are the perfect frame for a game of this type. It's simple but it's fun, and at the end of the day that's all that really matters.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    One of the most attractive, exhilarating, entertaining and outrageously fun titles so far on 3DS. While Mario has recently brought his style of gaming bliss to the handheld, Uprising provides a substantial amount of content, its own brand of adrenaline pumping set pieces and wonderful humour. It sweeps you along at breakneck speed, and is a must-have title for that very reason.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 10 Critic Score
    Pirates Assault is, simply, a fiasco. With none of CIRCLE Entertainment's customary charm or craftsmanship to be found, it's an uninspired slog through tower defence mediocrity.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    For that low entry price you still get a polished, easy to control golf game with short, quickly consumable challenges that lend themselves nicely to portable hardware.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's both punishingly difficult and endlessly satisfying, and it does an excellent job of keeping the action varied and the tensions high.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With a downright addictive gameplay formula, a sprinkling of creative boss fights and a mountain of replay value, it's difficult to find much negative to say about Zuma's Revenge.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Aahh! Spot the Difference is by no means a terrible experience, but it is forgettable in practically every way.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's less predictable than its previous instalments, smartly ditching the dead wood in favour of a fresh approach that emphatically reminds us why the series has been going for 14 years.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    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.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    2 Fast 4 Gnomz doesn't have the most unique concept in the world - or even on the WiiWare service - but it does have a fun soundtrack and an oddly addictive charm.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    This is one for the puzzle junkies alone, for those people that need a stopgap until the professor comes off sabbatical – but in the meantime, he can rest assured that his tenure will remain unthreatened by the likes of May Stery.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    For those looking for quick, clever puzzles on the go, you could certainly do much worse.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The action tower defence experience is relatively compulsive, with the daily structure implementing a combination of strategic thinking, frantic item gathering and action-filled combat. On the downside, the control scheme feels awkward, especially for left-handed gamers, and the lack of alternative options is a surprising oversight.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With gameplay that is both simplified and complex, solid controls, attractive presentation, online multiplayer and a touching, well-paced plot, this title can be considered as a definitive entry in its genre.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    For its price, iSpot Japan is indeed a passable time waster. It has more than its share of frustrations, but ultimately it accomplishes what it sets out to do.

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