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
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Although they fail to push the series forward with any true innovations, they excel at retooling now almost obsolete titles into must-haves for fans.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Its cheap scares and repetitive gameplay fail to live up to the promise of that first hour and winds up feeling like you're just going through the motions.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although it doesn't really do anything other "drawing" games haven't already done before, Max & the Magic Marker is a very enjoyable and sizeable platforming romp, and one you'll definitely want to see through to the end. The collectibles will keep you coming back until you've got 100%, which can be pretty challenging, but it will be worth it.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The controls probably could have used a little more finesse and the gameplay gets monotonous, but thankfully there's a game mode available which will give players a reason to come back.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Still, the core gameplay just isn't really that interesting, with only one mode truly worth bothering with. If you've got both a Wii and a DSi and are interested in the game, get this version, but otherwise, don't bother, as it'll get boring rather fast.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    4 TRAVELLERS – Play Spanish is fun to mess around with at first but grows boring all too rapidly, and without something to keep you coming back, you won't be able to exercise what little knowledge you've gained.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    As expected, Flips: The Bubonic Builders offers pretty much exactly the same as the first time around, but with a different story. It's a bit too childish for anyone but young kids to enjoy, but if you know any who liked the previous title then they will very likely also enjoy this one.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sonic Classic Collection could have been a true must-have for DS-owning Sonic fans, but sadly it's marred by enough small issues to put you off playing for too long.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Like most minigame compilations, you really need to round up a few friends to get the most fun out of Deca Sports DS. The events have a simplistic skew and several just aren't worth returning to alone, leaving you underwhelmed after a while.
    • 52 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Rather than simply releasing a barebones recreation of the most well-known incarnation of the game, developer Agenda chose to liven things up a bit by providing different stages, new moles, multiplayer and even achievements.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ultimately, though, Let's Golf has less content, for the same price - And for that, we have to give the edge to the game that was already available.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Flips: Terror in Cubicle Four isn't too interesting a story, but the way it's presented is likely to appeal to the younger ones. Obviously, buying the retail game is better value for your money, but if you'd like to try out one story to see if you'd like the rest of the package, then this isn't too bad of a deal for 500 DSi Points.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mega Man 10 is everything you could want out of sequel and more.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dart Rage is miles better than its downloadable competition and worth a go if you're down with flinging fake metal spears.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    When you think "party games," you don't normally think of playing multiple games in the exact same manner, and there's a reason why – it gets boring.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    If you're already a fan of tennis, you'll probably have some fun with this game, but newbies will want to give this one a pass.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing is, despite its flaws, a well-crafted racer that’s clearly had a lot of good design work put into it.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As with the Wii version, Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing may not do anything especially new in the character racing genre but it handles well, looks good and offers stacks of reasons to return.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Essentially, you’re getting a lot more game for your money with Endless Ocean 2; it’s less free-form and meandering than the original, with greater purpose and direction. Whether that’s what you want from a diving game is up to you, although truth be told there’s few other alternatives.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    While it’s on the short side, a bit simplistic and isn’t the most impressive game on the block, GhostSlayer manages to fall on the right side of fun for 600 Points and is worth a spin if you don’t mind a few blemishes.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Mouse House isn't a bad puzzler and is certainly a nice-looking game. We feel younger players who like puzzling about with cute characters will enjoy it, but for most fans of the genre there simply isn't enough content or challenge here to occupy them for long.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 10 Critic Score
    We say if you spend your 500 points on this unplayable mess you will most definitely not get something worth what you paid.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Don't be fooled by its adorable exterior - Aura-Aura Climber offers an addictive arcade-style experience children and adults alike will enjoy. This surprisingly complex game features intuitive controls and fluid gameplay that will have you hooked as soon as you've finished the tutorial.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    As a solo experience, you'll spend maybe five minutes messing around with it and then move it to your SD card because it's taking up space, but if you're one to bust out your DSi in public to show off something cool every so often, this application will be a blast at parties.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There’s very little wrong with Flight Control but it does feel a little thin. The additions of a new airfield and two-player mode are very welcome, but given the game’s origins as an addictive single-player score attack game it’s a shame more wasn’t done to boost this aspect: the removal of leaderboards hurts the game immeasurably.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Personality and charm go a long way in digital download releases and luckily, Flipper has ample helpings of both.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Data East may not have had the golden touch when it came to making arcade games, but they certainly had a few gems in their catalogue, which Data East Arcade Classics does a good job of sampling.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although referred to by some as a spin-off, Miles Edgeworth still has practically the exact same gameplay as all previous games, just with added investigating. With five more intriguing cases of surprising length to solve, it's another welcome addition to the franchise. Now to wait for the next one!
    • 71 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Players who fell in love with Ace Attorney will no doubt view Justice for All as a must-have expansion to the first release. But those who were unconvinced that Phoenix Wright was the second coming of Atticus Finch are unlikely to be swayed by this new evidence.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Not only are the physics in the game absolutely spot-on, but the intuitive control scheme made possible by the Wii Remote makes playing the game easy and fun.

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