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
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There's no denying that Picross 3D is a diverting and addictive game, but at the same time it fails to surpass its two-dimensional predecessor.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Arcade fans looking for something irreverent and over-the-top are advised to stock up on zombie repellent and download this one for some shooting fun!
    • 28 Metascore
    • 10 Critic Score
    If you really want some 70's kung fu action, do yourself a favor: plunk down the cost of the Douglas tune and jump around your home, Wii Remote in hand, going "hiyaaaa!"
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Its biggest fault being the extreme difficulty of its more challenging levels, Bloons is otherwise a simple, moderately enjoyable puzzle game. Those ready to face the frustration will find a challenge worth committing themselves to – unless its most obdurate stages cause them to be committed.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Try as it does, Bounce & Break never rises above unremarkable and ultimately feels hollow.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Those looking for a simple yet challenging experience will be happy with this collection and will have over a thousand unforgiving challenges to keep them busy. This quantity, however, won't matter to the majority of players, who will likely get too frustrated to continue after about ten or so.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The game combines many of the play mechanics of marbles, billiards and miniature golf and somehow rolls them all into an addictive gameplay experience that should keep players coming back for more.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Setpieces are simplistic and the instant appeal of the arcade style wears off after a while, but there's still enough fun here – particularly in multiplayer – to make this a decent game for fans wanting to get involved in the tournament at home.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    As it stands, there’s no real incentive to buy this as its central gimmick wears off too quickly and all that’s left is you, spinning around endlessly, zapping imaginary aliens.
    • 30 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    None of these games are completely terrible or broken, but the gameplay and presentation scream out that this compilation is an afterthought; a shameless cash-in.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    With a short main game and no multiplayer, Brain Drain is nothing more than a passing, casual experience to be enjoyed on one's lunch break or while waiting for the bus. At home on your Wii the game can still provide some brief amusement for fans of puzzle games, but we suspect you'll find better things to do.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    What ought to be a rock-solid racer is marred by a Career mode that forces players to return to the same course too often. Otherwise, it looks and feels very good, and a variety of challenges set it apart from other racing games, but prepare for plenty of repetition.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While the idea itself might feel a bit familiar, the execution in the game is solid and should appeal to gamers that enjoy this type of problem-solving gaming experience.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Don't Feed the Animals is devoid of complexity, personality, skill and entertainment value. It's boring, ugly, frustrating, repetitive and has bad collision mechanics.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Puffins are undeniably cute little critters, but slapping them on a labyrinth game with shoddy, mismatched controls won’t cover up the fact that it’s just not that fun.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It's a neat alternative to other DSiWare word games and worth checking out if you want something different, just don't expect to stick around for very long.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Playing with a team of fellow hunters is some of the most fun you’ll have online with any console, although solo play is enjoyable too. If you have the dedication to get through the hard-going introduction, you’ll uncover an addictive, innovative and beautiful game of ever-increasing depth.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Bang! gives you the absolute bare minimum and while its presentation is colourful and chirpy the core game mechanics are stale and dated.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This game provides a very fun, funny and engrossing experience featuring a cast of interesting and likeable characters. Its stylistic simplicity may deter some, but those who don't mind reading will find much to enjoy.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Overall it's hard to fault the application too much, especially since it will only set you back 200 Nintendo Points, but you can't help but wish the application had a little bit more to offer and in all honesty it ultimately might be easier to just use your computer to make the postcards instead.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Donkey Kong Jr. is easily one of the more enjoyable of the Game & Watch releases and if you've never tried any of the Game & Watch titles, this one is a great place to start.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Flagman isn't quite as engaging as some of the top shelf Game & Watch releases, but it's still got enough intriguing gameplay to make it worthwhile for gamers who can't get enough of these unique LCD games.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    If you want a piece of gaming (or personal) history on the relative cheap side then toss this one in your download queue, but if you’re not a collector or nostalgic then snap up one of the more interesting Game & Watch DSiWare releases instead.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Military Madness: Nectaris is a nice update to a classic strategy game. Players who've been waiting to see if this is a worthy replacement for the game currently available on the Virtual Console can rest assured that this is the case and the enhanced multiplayer options should provide an incentive to purchase for those who have it already.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The driving and shooting are both unsatisfying, the mission structures lack variety and the writing shows off every negative stereotype under the sun.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    AiRace looks good, plays great and stands out from the other DSiWare racers (or DS, really) in more ways than just choice of vehicle.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It's a little hit-and-miss and quite generic, but card-loving gamers may want to give it a go.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    On the surface, AlphaBounce appears to be the umpteenth generic Arkanoid clone, but looks can deceive! It offers far more content than any other iteration of the game, and will keep you entertained far longer, especially with the customizable envelopes and balls. We're quite confident in saying that this is perhaps the best Arkanoid-esque game ever made.
    • 48 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fishie Fishie isn't the deepest game in the world, but it provides a sizeable diversion with all the play modes on offer.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There's a good chance your 3-6 year old will get some decent mileage out of this title, and at 500 points, it costs less than most of the other toys and games they'll outgrow eventually.

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