Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
For 5,854 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:
5862 game reviews
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    As part of The Jackbox Party Pack, Drawful offered a brief yet silly way to have fun with friends, but its no-frills concept, the sheer lack of support for online multiplayer (especially with the lack of native streaming support Switch users have to contend with) and the hefty £8 asking price and Drawful 2 becomes a tough sell at best. However, if you’re really desperate for a couchplay alternative, this one might just scratch that party game itch.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Lost Sea isn't necessarily a bad game, but if you're not a fan of roguelikes, steer clear. For fans of roguelikes, Lost Sea doesn't quite nail what makes them so addictive and replayable. If you don't mind a slow, plodding trek over and over again, Lost Sea can provide some hours of mindless enjoyment.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    As it stands, Discovery is Minecraft, but with fewer polished mechanics, no survival mode, and fewer blocks to use, and slightly less impressive graphics. It’s not a bad game by any means, but there’s nothing here that Minecraft doesn’t already do much better. If you’re only interested in the creative mode, and you don’t mind giving up some bells and whistles, this is a decent alternative for those of you that are looking to save a few bucks, but otherwise, you’re not missing out on anything significant if you choose to pass.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With its subtle, relaxing and appropriate musical score, gloriously soft visuals and a simple yet emotional story, Pode succeeds in offering a generous and humble cooperative yet challenging 8-10 hours of content that will shine brightly - especially in among the assortment of fast-paced and frantic multiplayer games that we have right now on the eShop.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Flashback on Switch is the definitive edition of a truly special science fiction platform/puzzle solving/shooting video game that already more than proved itself to be a 16-bit classic. If you were too young to play this the first time, this package will give you the best possible way to experience it with current hardware. For veteran gamers, Flashback has lost nothing of what made it special all those years ago. Pass the holocube, please.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    We’re used to seeing Wii U games transfer to Switch, but for Ultra Smash to have moved across without a substantial makeover would have been disastrous. Aces, wonderfully, is anything but that – it’s a superb arcade sports game that’s generous with its suite of player options and only occasionally guilty of being a little cheap in its Adventure Mode. The presentation is spot on, and the core tennis action is absorbing whether you’re trading simple strokes or firing off special shots. Some animations and voice overs are identical to Ultra Smash’s, but everything around them has been overhauled to quite splendid heights. This is something of a Switch Port Plus, then – not quite a whole new experience, but so improved as to be near unrecognisable next to its preceding title.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Hollow Knight is a big, beautiful, forbidding Metroidvania that's absolutely thick with detail. From its punchy combat system to its charming art and sound design, this is one of the finest adventures you can have on Nintendo Switch.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Chameleon Run Deluxe Edition offers a challenging autorunner experience that will no doubt have you hooked and cursing at the same time. The combination of slick jumping and colour swapping makes whizzing around each level enjoyable, and the new features added to this Switch edition are very welcome, but the main bulk of the game will likely be over relatively quickly for most. It’s definitely an enjoyable ride while it lasts, though, and fans of the genre shouldn’t be disappointed.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    LEGO The Incredibles is exactly the kind of inoffensive and family-friendly action adventure fun you’d expect from a TT Games offering. You’re better off watching the film before you buy as it’ll ruin the plot without a second thought, but with its activity-filled sandbox and the usual mix of platforming and puzzle-solving, it’s an ideal way to keep younger fans happy once they leave the cinema. You just can’t help but shake the feeling this should have been a LEGO Dimensions level pack rather than a full-game.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With fun, fast-paced combat, likable characters, and an enjoyable story that takes full advantage of its beautiful shipwrecked setting, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is a top-shelf action RPG. Exploring the Isle of Seiren is as rewarding as mastering the character-swapping, hack-and-slash battle system, and both fit into an addictive feedback loop of adventuring that keeps everything moving at a quick clip. Editing issues and inconsistent image quality in handheld mode are small blemishes on an otherwise polished production, but don’t let them deter you; Ys VIII is a true gem.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    GRIDD: Retroenhanced is a nostalgic trip for anyone who was around when the game’s visuals were state of the art. As a game, it does very little wrong once you get used to your ship's momentum, while the inclusion of Glove of Power mode makes the Switch version the definitive one to play. If you have exhausted the joys of Thumper and are looking for something new to challenge your reflexes, you have just found your next hurdle.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fallout Shelter is handsomely presented with a nice resource management loop that’s worthy of investigation, but it’s tough to recommend this version if you've got access to other platforms.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Arcade Archives Donkey Kong is something of an ultimate release. Three versions of it with a few display options and HAMSTER's usual array of modes and online leaderboards make this a great choice for fans of high score chasing games.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    One Strike is a truly unique, 'pure' video game. For the asking price, you get a rather fresh take on the one-on-one fighting genre and it can quickly become your go-to game when you are in need of a break between other more complex games or just need a quick burst of intensive reflex exercise. Find a group of like-minded players to play it with you and it becomes your current best, most efficient option to ruin friendships on the Switch (at least until Super Mario Party is released). Grab it without fear and then... either strike or die. There are literally no other options.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Epic has delivered the full fat Fortnite: Battle Royale experience on the ‘homeheld’. The omission of Save the World is disappointing, and you’re sure to notice the framerate difference if you’re coming from other consoles, but performance-wise, it’s steady and perfectly playable. There’s room for improvement – motion-assisted aiming should be top of the patch list – but ultimately, that just-one-more feeling survives the transition intact. Before you know it, you’ll be eyeing the clock at 3:56 am thinking ‘hmm, that’s not a round number’. The heart-pounding suspense of making it to the final two may not be healthy, but it sure is addictive.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Soccer Slammers is a frenetic arcade football game that's extremely light on depth and content but high on immediate thrills. It's the ideal half-time snack, but it won't sate your hunger for a more meaty football experience. Thankfully, with FIFA 18 already available on Switch a more immersive experience exists, but if it's casual action you're after, this could be the fixture you need.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A masterclass in how to do DLC right. It fits in perfectly with the standalone game, provides a heap of tailor-made content and furthers the story of the Inklings’ and Octolings’ world effortlessly and beautifully. As a single player experience it outmatches the standard Octo Canyon mode significantly, and even though it does allow players to acquire exclusive items, it manages to avoid affecting any of the mechanics of online play, so non-purchasers will never be at a disadvantage. If you’re a fan of Splatoon in any capacity and you want more to sink your beak into, Octo Expansion is an unwavering must-have.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Charming, addictive but sometimes ruthlessly unforgiving, PixelJunk Monsters 2 has made the transition into 3D almost unscathed. While there is a sense of if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it in some instances, it's still a gorgeous, lovingly-crafted and action-packed tower defence game that despite a few annoyances, will delight, entertain and challenge in equal measure.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite a couple of blemishes, The FRAMED Collection is a clever and stylish addition to the Switch library. Inevitably, it’s much smoother to play with touch controls, but it’s worth seeing the bold characters and more vibrant set pieces play out on a big TV. A couple of iffy puzzles and a fairly short run time for both games shouldn’t put you off too much, as there are some excellent ideas here and a refreshingly cool overall experience.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    With so few football games on Switch, Legendary Eleven might be tempting, but be prepared for a scruffy 0-0 draw rather than a 5-4 thriller. There are some highlights that impress, but the game's many technical flaws, lack of depth and unbalanced gameplay will most likely cause you yearn for something more refined and exciting. It really is a game of two halves.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Shape of the World is a very different offering on the Switch’s eShop, and one that we are glad to have experienced despite its shortcomings. Describing it as a video game doesn’t feel quite right; it’s more of an interactive playground that lets you take a couple of hours out, switch off, and be treated to some thought-provoking aesthetics along the way. It’s definitely not for everyone, and it’s all over a little too quickly, but Shape of the World is a nicely put together piece of art that deserves the attention of those most intrigued.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Super Sportmatchen deserves some praise for including online leaderboards to help prolong the replay value of the individual experience. A lot of games of this calibre fail to add this feature. Competing against the A.I. will definitely get old, fast, so this is a great way to sustain interest. For some, this still might not be enough. The main contest here is the local multiplayer. Provided you have friends or family around, this is another one of those titles that is fun for brief sessions in between more prominent multiplayer titles.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While it doesn’t spend nearly enough time on its story beats to fully immerse new players into its world, we’d still recommend it even if you’re new to the Straw Hat Crew — there’s plenty of rollicking fun to be had throwing elbows (and swords, and staves, and…) with Luffy and co., and longtime readers will have a blast revisiting their earliest days. A recommended romp for One Piece and Warriors fans alike.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn is a solid side-scrolling brawler. We were unsure of what to expect from this whole 'Settle the score of ‘94' tagline, but were pleasantly surprised with the amount of fun it offers. While it lasts, it serves up a fun-filled ride with silly dialogue, politically incorrect humour and excessive amounts of ‘Shaqness’. You might even be entitled to get this game for free but those who must part with their money and are on the market for some mindless brawling, you could do far worse than this Shaq attack.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The sheer verve of Just Shapes and Beats is infectious. True to its name, the elements are simple, but Berzerk Studio explores and executes on its modest premise with an exceptional level of polish. It injects pure joy into the oppressive, pulsing panic of Super Hexagon and creates a celebratory explosion of the audio-visual in video games. Challenge mode and the hectic multiplayer will keep you occupied after you’ve conquered the refreshingly breezy story.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido is a crazy, over-the-top experience that gets better the more you play. The game feels incredibly polished, with a mostly satisfying battle system that gets surprisingly deep, and beautifully presented cutscenes that progress the story along nicely. The focus here is definitely on the lengthy campaign, although we can imagine top online players becoming intensely competitive with practice. It might not be able to completely blow you away, but our playthrough has left us with a pleasingly satisfying aftertaste. Make sure to give this a go if you’re intrigued.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Again, it’s essentially an enhanced port of a free-to-play mobile title. We also know QubicGames can do better than this – with the likes of Robonauts. This one, though, is more in line with the limitations of Astro Bears Party. Given its simplicity and bright presentation, it’s best recommended for a younger audience.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With a sci-fi twist on an old formula, Songbringer is almost a breath of fresh air. Occasional stereotypes aren’t as welcome as all of the new ideas the game brings forward, including a tongue-in-cheek style of humour to accompany a truly unique experience and a gorgeous visual style. With so many options and routes through the story, this is a game begging to be replayed for months to come.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Battling your way through screens of mechanical enemies to reach the final boss won’t take very much time at all, but exploring the compact yet detailed world around you is enjoyable. Hidden are some thought-provoking snippets of narrative that touch on the hardships of developing games, for example, and the clever delivery of its storytelling is, at times, ingenious. However, the simplistic approach to battle and a confusing and convoluted story plot could prove bothersome for some who are looking for something a little more in-depth.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fallen Legion: Rise to Glory is an action-RPG with a snappy, timing-based combat system and well-written dialogue. However, it's a little messy and repetitive in both gameplay and narrative terms, and the game could do a lot more to explain itself.

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