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
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It's difficult to fault Blockado too much, especially since the presentation and gameplay are all well implemented, but you can't ignore the fact that the game is still just another rendition of the classic sliding-block puzzle idea that's been making its rounds for decades now.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fundamentally Flight Control is strong, a fast-paced and surprisingly complex puzzle title with plenty of variety. The biggest issues come from the porting process and the additions implemented, namely that the multiplayer is mostly redundant and the pacing does not adapt to suit the decidedly different input method of the Wii.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Although the developers have done a terrific job of incorporating daunting detail with intuitive controls, this title is still best suited to gamers with the strength, diligence and passion to see it through. For them, this is an experience that must not be missed.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's fun, addicting, and at only 200 Nintendo Points, worth every crazy penny.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The intuitive and responsive controls do a solid job of allowing players of all skill levels to enjoy the game and although many enemies are repeated throughout the five levels, the unique bosses offer up plenty of incentive to keep coming back for more.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Play & Learn Spanish includes over 700 words and phrases and an easy way to study them, making a good tool for beginning learners or tourists, though it's let down in a number of other areas including the very big oversight of not including gendered articles for vocabulary words.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    While it improves on its predecessors' flaws, Go Fetch! 2 has its fair share of detriments, including an often terrible camera, dullness and largely unimaginative ball and obstacle placement.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you like the concept, have sharp reflexes and want a new challenge to occupy you for a good while to come, then this title comes highly recommended.
    • 25 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Absolutely one of the worst executions of a racing game to date, it's astonishing just how badly Nordcurrent has faired with this top-down racer.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    With its bland gameplay and lacking amount of content, there's a lot more fun that can be had with 800 Nintendo Points.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Burn the Rope achieves the right combination of elements to make a very simple, addictive, fun and unique puzzler with a lot of replay value. It's let down, however, by its lack of leaderboards and the unshakable feeling that it would be a lot more fun in its originally intended handheld format.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    At 200 Points, Portable Shrine Wars is right for the price: if you're looking for an engaging game that harkens back to a more arcade style and is fun in short bursts, then you might find this one to be right for you.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    My Australian Farm, like its predecessors, is a serviceable if somewhat flawed money management game. You won't want to throw your DS on the barbie, nor will you come flying back to it like a boomerang.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A workmanlike golf title that plays it safe and holes out for par.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The 12 titles on offer in Wii Play Motion surpass their predecessor in creativity but are just as mediocre in their simplicity and limitedness.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The slippery controls and repetitive gameplay can be annoying at times, but there's still some fun platforming to be found for those who manage to stick long enough to come to grips with it.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Bobby Carrot Forever is smartly designed and will keep you entertained and your wits at their sharpest for a long time, though some may grow tired of the admittedly limited gameplay. It's also a delight to look at and extremely accessible, so while it won't put you on cloud nine, this carrot stew is still quite tasty.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Even with the lack of mainstream musical tracks and the wide variety of input control found in Guitar Hero and Rock Band, there's still a wealth of opportunities for creating interesting and diverse musical pieces inside of Just JAM.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A decent stab at compiling a pleasant little arcade package, but questionable decisions like squashed playing fields, meagre high-score tables and unerasable save data drop this from "must have" to "it's complicated."
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With its twist on platformer gameplay and ridiculous amount of content, Antipole would make a great addition to anyone's DSiWare collection, especially fans of the genre looking for something new.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    High Voltage should be commended for intelligently lifting play elements from Arkham Asylum and successfully merging them with a novel shield-throwing mechanic to provide a similar but still entertaining gameplay experience. Truly awful presentation severely hampers the product overall though, creating a title that is enjoyable in the hands but abhorrent to the eyes.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There's no denying the fact that the original Xevious arcade game is beginning to show its age with overly simplistic visual designs and repetitive gameplay, but it's impossible not to be impressed with just how much the addition of true 3D depth injects into the overall experience.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Kung Fu Dragon is only interested in doing one thing, but fortunately it does it very well.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    While Extreme Hangman 2 doesn't really do anything wrong, it is difficult to say whether or not it is an improvement over its predecessor.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    AfterZoom is charming, interesting and works well, not to mention the perfect tool for someone who needs help with multiplication. It just doesn't last nearly long enough, and while it does, it's simple and repetitive.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While other puzzle games with much more immersive and engaging stories are out there – we're looking at you, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords – this one makes due with its simplicity.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A game that we highly recommend. It has been crafted with care and in painstaking detail, incorporating a lengthy, well-written story with engaging battle mechanics and an impressive variety of quest styles.
    • 45 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    As interesting and unique as the visual presentation is, it's still not quite enough to cover up the many gameplay flaws that rear their heads rather frequently throughout the game.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Farm Frenzy is a bland time and resource management game with limited content and flawed execution. There are plenty of similar, better options on DSiWare, so try one of those instead or you'll end up udderly disappointed.
    • 32 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The principles of this game are sound, but the execution makes the game a disappointment, and enough to drive any gamer to the confessional.

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