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
    • 70 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Featuring elegant design, polished graphics, and pick-up-and-play addictiveness; the Art Style series is a perfect-fit for DSiWare. The game's rather traditional concept, mixed in with a unique twist, creates one of the most fresh and enjoyable puzzles on any handheld. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed with Art Style: AQUITE.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's pure, mindless fun.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Unlike its predecessor no add-on is required and overall performance has undoubtedly improved. While the software has its limitations it is a free download and well worth having on your DSi roster of software; there is absolutely no excuse not to get this application.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The controls may be to simplistic to be engaging and the absence of instructions can lead this casual game into frustrating territory. Nevertheless, even with the simplistic controls and lack of guidance the player will still feel that same sense of accomplishment and pride when you master Mama’s tasks.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    One of the most unique titles available on the Wii Shop Channel. The game overflows with personality and substance and does a stellar job of creating a real-life barber shop atmosphere.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    An excellent addition to the Activision's best-selling franchise. The fusion of game concept and band results in a match made in heaven and even if you're not a massive fan of Metallica's work, this update does a good job of catering to the needs of fans of the series.
    • 48 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The biggest problem faced by Lux-Pain is the poor effort that appears to have been made to localize the game effectively and this lets down an otherwise very engaging title.
    • 44 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    MotoGP certainly isn’t going to give Mario Kart Wii a run for its money and it’d be a real shame if Capcom actually made a profit off of this.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The console version is nothing but a quick cash-in for Square Enix.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Far exceeding its DS and Gamecube ancestors, as well as a huge portion of the DS's catalogue, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time is a superb game for fans of RPGs as well as anyone eager to explore the unique Wii to DS connectivity offered here.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    SameGame is deceptively simple and one of the most incredibly addictive puzzle games ever, Hudson have done an excellent job of bringing the classic game up to date on WiiWare.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Although there are areas where Cate West can be improved, for a hidden object game it's definitely one of the best currently available on the market and works well on the Wii. Its intriguing storyline, overall polished presentation and change of gameplay styles makes it a far more interesting proposition than most hidden object titles and it's all the better for it.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rune Factory Frontier is both the best Harvest Moon game of this generation and an enjoyable dungeon-crawler too.
    • 93 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Chinatown Wars truly is one the best titles to ever grace the Nintendo DS. Despite the fact that it took on an old-style graphical approach and introduced alien concepts, the transition of the series to Nintendo’s handheld has been a smooth one – the end result being a fantastic adult game that is not worth missing.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Like any good sequel, Marble Saga manages to build upon the unique game play ideas of the original, not to mention addresses the serious lack of levels the first game was plagued with. But for every step forward the game takes, it takes two steps backward with its sluggish physics implementation.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    About the only downside to having a game as much fun to play as Bit.Trip.Beat is that with only 3 levels, you'll definitely be left wanting more.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Avalon Code is by no means a bad game, but due to some niggling issues, the game can’t be deemed as a must-have title.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    EA’s conversion of the classic board game is entertaining and offers some great multiplayer action. The developer has intelligently implemented new, inventive game types, which bring with them fresh rules to a game we’ve been playing for years.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Pikmin is a quirky, innovative, colourful, charming, and addictive game- epitomising exactly what Nintendo are all about. Sure, it’s just a GameCube port with Wii controls slapped on, but it works well.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Gradius Rebirth is certainly a solid enough shooter and the trip down memory lane is fun while it lasts, but you can't help but walk away from the title wishing that Konami had tried some new ideas instead of just rehashing the same formula.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Family & Friends is a mini-game compilation with decent production values and a good premise behind what is being offered. The main issues are lack of depth, absence of originality, unbalanced difficulty in some of the challenges, absence of Wi-Fi play, poor audio effects and it's steep asking price.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Hudson has achieved the unthinkable and created an original and entertaining Japanese developed FPS which comes as a great surprise. This is a must-download for fans of the FPS genre.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite the few minor gameplay complaints, it's still difficult to fault the well-thought-out design that the game makes use of.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Nothing more than an average, overpriced WiiWare offering. It certainly has a few good ideas up its sleeve, but due to the pitiful controls the positive aspects are pushed to the background. It is a shame to see an otherwise enjoyable game ruined by an awful control scheme; even more so when you consider that this issue could have been solved by adding other interface options, such as support for the Nunchuk or Classic Controller.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A solid racing title that’ll appeal to any type of gamer. The game supports the same four control schemes as Mario Kart Wii and will provide gamers with an enjoyable racing experience.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The game is still a blast to play.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's a different style of gameplay with very different protagonists and antagonists than gamers are used to. This is really what we need to see more of on the Wii though, and despite the flaws it's definitely worth checking out if you want to try something new.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    LIT
    WayForward put a lot of time and work into LIT at it shows; it’s not perfect but if you’re in the mood for a puzzle game with a difference, break out your flashlight and watch out for what hides in the dark.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tenchu: Shadow Assassins is a game that will be welcomed by many: good attention to detail and largely well-implemented controls combine with a compelling story to create a terrific cinematic gaming experience.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Lonpos does very little to make itself stand out from the abundance of alternative WiiWare puzzlers and the price doesn’t quite justify what’s on offer here.

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