Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
For 5,853 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:
5861 game reviews
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It's impossible not to be impressed by the vast number of classic Super Mario elements that have been squeezed into the package, especially given how fresh they all look and feel in their new 3D presentation. If you've been looking for a reason to pick up a 3DS, you've just found it.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Disney Universe plays it safe in nearly every way, and that's a problem.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's still a lot of fun, however, and works well for on-the-go bug-squashing sessions, especially if you've got a friend by your side.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The fast-paced Color-Cade and some of the more complex later levels of Story Mode are quite entertaining, but the lack of lives in the game's main section makes the majority of its stages an extremely tedious affair. Those with the patience to tunnel deep enough will find an enjoyable experience, but overall, this gem is definitely a flawed one.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    But we expected more of this retail sequel to a WiiWare game, and it almost seems like this game gave up the ghost.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Captain America: Super Soldier for 3DS has a fair amount going for it. However, for everything it does well, Super Soldier stumbles somewhere else, its most heinous crimes being iffy production values that go so far as to be detrimental to gameplay and a camera that's more maniacally evil than Red Skull himself.
    • 32 Metascore
    • 10 Critic Score
    Halloween: Trick or Treat is simply mishandled on every possible level.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mahjong CUB3D doesn't revolutionise the game, but it does add an interesting twist.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    An enjoyable representation of checkers that entertains without excelling, it's worth a look if you're after a portable version of the classic board game.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pokémon Rumble Blast is a good game, but - let's face it - we've played it before. The 3DS gave Nintendo a wider palette to work with, but it seems like it was content to leave well enough alone.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The 3D is almost inconsequential, but the result is a tough, well-constructed puzzle title with plenty of content.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Kirby fans have been waiting a long time for a return to the classic Kirby experience, but after playing Kirby's Return to Dreamland, it's perfectly clear that the wait was well worth it. Not only are the colourful visuals absolutely stunning, but the classic gameplay, although a tad on the easy side, has never played better or featured more variety.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fish Tank is a flawed game, but those flaws are easily outbalanced by its sheer addictive fun in a multiplayer setting.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Feels like change for change's sake. Much of what worked in the previous game has been retooled here, often with disappointing results, but the core experience hasn't changed.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    999 is stunning. It sports a captivating plot driven by a fantastic cast of characters, a satisfying mix of puzzles and interesting mathematical, scientific and philosophical quandaries to ponder.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cave Story has always been an extremely charming and engaging experience, but never before has the game come alive with the type of depth and realism that the 3D visuals and lighting effects provide. When you couple all of this together with the classic high-quality platforming and shooting action of the original, not to mention an amazing remixed soundtrack, you end up with what has to be one of the most impressive video game remakes we've seen in recent years and a title you absolutely should not miss.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Another top-quality game in a truly brilliant series. It challenges your mind in a way very few games seriously attempt to do, and the feeling you get when you solve a particularly difficult puzzle is less one of relief than it is a desire to leap ahead in the game and find the next one. Playing this game is its own reward, and we'd have it no other way.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    There may be no lack of dance games on shelves but there has yet to be one as polished, approachable and with such joie de vivre as Just Dance 3.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A decent package, with its sense of progression and Pro Shop items to buy, but it's ultimately nothing special.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Like we said about both episodes 1 and 2, this game is short, unsatisfying, and hardly with the 800 Point asking price.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Ultimately, it's an average game diminished by its own bugs, glitches, and largesse.
    • 47 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Gamelion concocted plenty of puzzle and platforming elements for Furry Legends, but once again the floaty physics and sometimes wonky controls keep the overall experience from reaching its potential.
    • 36 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It's still largely linear, and the gameplay mostly amounts to simplistic, repetitive beat-em-up combat, boring level design and platforming marred by a somewhat cumbersome jumping mechanic.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Good times are buried within Edge of Time but it feels a bit too rushed and incomplete to swing through with a smile. Beenox has proved it has the chops so hopefully Edge of Time is a mere sophomore slump rather than indicative of Spidey's future - otherwise we're going to need one of those time portals.
    • 50 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Good times are buried within Edge of Time but it feels a bit too rushed and incomplete to swing through with a smile, and the 3DS version's technical deficiencies don't help unearthing the fun at all.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you love classic third-person rail shooters like Space Harrier, Horizon Riders won't disappoint - so long as you own a Balance Board.
    • 52 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Cumbersome controls, poor AI and a few other clunky features get in the way, though some selections can still provide some uncomplicated on-the-go fun.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In terms of content, slick features and a variety of game modes, it's an impressive achievement and far superior to its rival, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D. Gameplay is entirely mixed, however, with intuitive controls and some fun mechanics being undermined by a poor frame-rate performance from the game engine.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Frogger 3D balances interesting, clever level designs that will make you want to keep playing just to see more with infuriating cheap shots and a ridiculous difficulty curve that will make you never want to play again.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Tetris Axis falls short of spectacular but still proves to be a worthwhile addition to the classic's illustrious handheld legacy with its expanded online component and oddly addictive Fever mode.

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