Nintendo Power's Scores
- Games
For 2,179 reviews, this publication has graded:
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57% higher than the average critic
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5% same as the average critic
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38% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 6.1 points lower than other critics.
(0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 69
| Highest review score: | Super Smash Bros. Brawl | |
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| Lowest review score: | Ant Nation |
Score distribution:
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Positive: 873 out of 2179
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Mixed: 1,099 out of 2179
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Negative: 207 out of 2179
2179
game
reviews
- By Date
- By Critic Score
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- Critic Score
The play control is tight and the fighting moves are numerous. [Apr 2003, p.136]- Nintendo Power
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Energy, action and street-ball style make NBA Street Vol. 2 every bit as exciting as the original game. [Apr 2003, p.134]- Nintendo Power
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The puzzles are basic lock-and-key challenges, but the action is lots of fun and the dialogue is spot-on Buffy. [Nov 2003, p.149]- Nintendo Power
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The graphics are lush, and the play control is excellent. [July 2004, p.120]- Nintendo Power
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Packs in lots of game play and replay value, with dozens of challenges set in beautiful locations. [Nov 2002, p.219]- Nintendo Power
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Three multiplayer party tables and a Chao Garden add to the mix. [July 2003, p.82]- Nintendo Power
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It has everything a gamer could want, including challenge, hidden stuff, replay value and a healthy helping of Miyamoto magic. [Oct 2002, p.195]- Nintendo Power
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Although item use is complex and battlefield navigation can be a chore, gameplay is solid and production values are high. [Jan 2004, p.161]- Nintendo Power
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Between fights, you'll purchase moves and info about opponents' weaknesses. [Feb 2004, p.155]- Nintendo Power
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The nighttime setting makes visibility difficult at times, but that's part of the challenge. [Mar 2004, p.119]- Nintendo Power
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New Super Mario Bros. U may not be the most innovative Mario platformer, but it's incredibly polished and a lot of fun. [Dec 2012, p.68]- Nintendo Power
Posted Dec 14, 2012 -
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You could do a lot worse than having Pilotwings Resort be the first game you slide into your brand-new 3DS--just don't expect it to be there a month later. [April 2011, p.82]- Nintendo Power
Posted Apr 13, 2011 -
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Dance Dance Revolution has been luring gamers off their sofas for years, making the franchise a perfect hit for Wii fans. [Nov 2007, p.105]- Nintendo Power
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Bangai-O Spirits is, above all, an excellent community game. [Sept 2008, p.84]- Nintendo Power
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When the puzzles get tough, just remember - don't panic! [Sept 2007, p.89]- Nintendo Power
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And while the new features might make only die-hard fans go ape, DKC3 is still rock solid. [Dec 2005, p.116]- Nintendo Power
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Despite its shortcomings, Ridge Racer 3D is one of the Nintendo 3DS system's meatiest launch titles, and by far the series's best showing on a Nintendo platform. [April 2011, p.78]- Nintendo Power
Posted Apr 13, 2011 -
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Neither game is particularly great on its own, but the two intersect in clever ways to become much more than the sum of their parts. [Apr 2009, p.83]- Nintendo Power
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If you're the type of player who milks a game for all it's worth, then you'll likely enjoy Explorers of Sky's new content, but more casual players might wonder what all the fuss is about. [Dec 2009, p.84]- Nintendo Power
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Call of Duty will always sell big based on its name alone, so kudos to Activision and Treyarch for not phoning this one in. [Jan 2009, p.91]- Nintendo Power
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Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars might not be getting as much attention as some other launch titles, but if you have any interest in strategy or military games, you won't want it to sneak by. [April 2011, p.77]- Nintendo Power
Posted Apr 13, 2011 -
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Just as fast, brutal, complex and fun as "Guilty Gear X." [June 2002, p.154]- Nintendo Power
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Control issues aside, Sega Superstars Tennis is swimming in clever game references and should be fun for even a casual Sega fan. [Apr 2008, p.89]- Nintendo Power
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It's a creative and distinctive adventure in terms of both graphics and gameplay--rare qualities in this day and age--making this title well worth experiencing for yourself. [Jan 2011, p.89]- Nintendo Power
Posted Dec 19, 2010 -
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The game definitely has its roots in the Pokemon world, but provides enough new features to give it its own identity. [Apr 2007, p.86]- Nintendo Power
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One of the most fully featured sports games on the Wii console. [Oct 2009, p.87]- Nintendo Power
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Sonic Chronicles may annoy you at times, but it certainly won't ever bore you. [Nov 2008, p.96]- Nintendo Power
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One of the Wii's greatest guilty pleasures. With buckets of gore and language that would make a sailor blush, Overkill definitely earns its M rating. But pumping zombies full of hot lead has rarely been so much fun. [Mar 2009, p.87]- Nintendo Power
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Impatient gamers looking for a little more action may want to look elsewhere, but they'll do so at the risk of missing our on yet another groundbreaking DS title. [Mar. 2007, p.88]- Nintendo Power
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Aside from a few minor issues, though, Vicarious Visions had done a fantastic job creating a faithful and fun Hawk game. [Jan 2006, p.112]- Nintendo Power
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Keeps its legal-eagle fantasy flying much of the time - it's a welcome DS addition. [Nov 2005, p.109]- Nintendo Power
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Extends parts of the original story (a training session in Ollivanders Wand Shop) and skips over others (the Sorting Hat ceremony). [Feb 2004, p.149]- Nintendo Power
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Although WW is not very deep, it is tons of fun. The challenges are tricky at times but rarely frustrating. [July 2003, p.80]- Nintendo Power
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Sure, it's not quite as good as the outstanding Beatles-centric Rock Band, but Green Day: Rock Band is a great game nonetheless. [July 2010, p.86]- Nintendo Power
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But when it comes to action, variety, and the sheer fun of obliterating Heartless with a Keyblade, Re:coded is a more-than-worthwhile entry in the beloved Kingdom Hearts saga. [Jan 2011, p.82]- Nintendo Power
Posted Dec 19, 2010 -
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LostMagic is not perfect, but it is an exceedingly fun and strikingly original RPG that will test your skills more than any other DS game on the market. [Jun 2006, p.84]- Nintendo Power
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And it's an especially welcome addition to a library mostly starved for quality RPGs. [Nov 2012, p.74]- Nintendo Power
Posted Nov 11, 2012 -
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Even when the gameplay occasionally wears thin, the excellent characters and intense strangeness ultimately prevail. [June 2010, p.87]- Nintendo Power
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Find a space-faring friend to exchange laser fire with via local multiplayer. [Apr 2009, p.83]- Nintendo Power
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Order of Ecclesia may not have a wealth of newness to contribute, but the Castlevania formula still works like a charm, and the game's traditionally strong boss and level designs hold up well in the smaller, more focused areas. [Dec 2008, p.92]- Nintendo Power
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Given the youthful glow of PES 2009, the 2010 offering predictably offers little broken ground. [Jan 2010, p.89]- Nintendo Power
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In addition to the Giants. features such as the Skystones minigame and puzzles you have to solve to unlock certain doors help prevent the game from becoming too repetitive. [Nov 2012, p.78]- Nintendo Power
Posted Nov 11, 2012 -
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Overall, though, this game hits all the notes that a professor Layton title should, resulting in another rewarding, cerebally invigorating quest. [Nov 2012, p.80]- Nintendo Power
Posted Nov 11, 2012 -
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If you missed out on "Trauma Center" before, this is the version to buy. If you're a series veteran, then--as good as New Blood is--it's really just more of the same, so it's your call. [Holiday 2007, p.86]- Nintendo Power
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Mario and Sonic's second portable outing together is a good time. [Nov 2009, p.88]- Nintendo Power
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The game has a robust solo mode that smartly challenges the player to rethink his approach as he battles against a diverse collection of card-slingin' strategists. [Oct 2005, p.99]- Nintendo Power
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Taking your party on the road just got easy thanks to the first multiplayer portable "Mario Party" game. [Holiday 2007, p.79]- Nintendo Power
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A great game that's well worth your time. [Oct 2009, p.89]- Nintendo Power
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We've seen more polished platformers in recent months, but Pitfall has rare qualities of goofy charm and ever-surprising level design. [Apr 2004, p.121]- Nintendo Power
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Hardcore action gamers shouldn't let this one sit on the shelves. [Mar 2008, p.85]- Nintendo Power
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My favorite of the [LEGO Star Wars] bunch. [Apr 2011, p.81]- Nintendo Power
Posted Mar 31, 2011 -
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The production values aren't going to win any awards, and some of the mechanics work better than others(the hose is pretty lame), but Bloom Blox is an innovative and amusing piece of entertainment worthy of the Spielberg name. [June 2008, p.87]- Nintendo Power
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The game's goofy sense of humor adds to the fun. [Apr 2011, p.81]- Nintendo Power
Posted Mar 31, 2011 -
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The touch screen may be a bust for controlling the action on the pitch, but it's awesome for painting custom team crests. [Dec 2005, p.121]- Nintendo Power
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It's a shame that the developers squandered the chance to really build upon Phantasy Star Online, but there's no denying that when you have a few friends at your side, Phantasy Star 0 is just as much fun as its grandpa used to be. [Dec 2009, p.82]- Nintendo Power
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A new Yoshi platformer may not bear the same crushing weight of expectations that accompanies a Mario platformer, but it does carry the Super Mario World DNA in its genes--and fans of the franchise are legion. [Jan. 2007, p.100]- Nintendo Power
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That's why Guitar Hero: On Tour is so exciting--it's Guitar Hero on the go, played a bit differently, with more emphasis on picking than fretwork (though there's still plenty of that). [Sept 2008, p.87]- Nintendo Power
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Great gameplay and a goofy sense of humor make this a terrific tribute to the 8-bit experience. [Jan 2009, p.91]- Nintendo Power
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The GBA version doesn't have the minigames of the GCN version, but the core game is loads of fun. [Jan 2003, p.176]- Nintendo Power
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A great game that provides further proof of just how thrilling-and fun-saving lives can be. [June 2010, p.86]- Nintendo Power
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Few party games are as good as Rock Band, and although it has flaws, this version ultimately succeeds in bringing that festive experience to Wii. [Aug 2008, p.90]- Nintendo Power
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The developers did an admirable job of re-creating the overall feel of the previous titles while making a game that's great in its own right. [June 2010, p.84]- Nintendo Power
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What it is, though, is about as good a Dragon Ball Z game as anyone's going to make. [Dec 2009, p.87]- Nintendo Power
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The new Get a Life mode adds structure to the experience, and the two-player modes are an absolute blast. [Apr 2003, p.133]- Nintendo Power
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In the end it's not the most coherent dream, but it's a pleasant one nonetheless. [Aug 2012, p.78]- Nintendo Power
Posted Aug 1, 2012 -
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New spells, a compelling story and tons of action-oriented puzzles. [Dec 2002, p.220]- Nintendo Power
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If you're looking for an engaging, unique, well-polished take on the world's most famous hedgehog, Sonic and the Black Knight delivers. [Mar 2009, p.88]- Nintendo Power
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With great sim style and arcade jams, NBA Courtside 2002 nets the best of both worlds. [Feb 2002, p.148]- Nintendo Power
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With that said, the latest Ace Attorney game is an excellent continuation of the series, featuring more compelling mysteries to unravel and lots of memorable characters. [Mar 2008, p.86]- Nintendo Power
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It's a great collection for those who still enjoy a good classic 2-D fighting game. [Dec 2008, p.104]- Nintendo Power
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True, these are not revolutionary additions, but they are appreciated refinements. [Nov 2009, p.88]- Nintendo Power
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It's not the most challenging game, but Chibi-Robo has a lot to offer behind its supercute veneer. [Mar 2006, p.84]- Nintendo Power
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What a difference a year makes. Last year's version of WWE Smackdown vs. Raw was light on everything but untapped potential; the 2009 edition, on the other hand, is packed with features and significantly enahnced gameplay. [Holiday 2008, p.87]- Nintendo Power
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The game may be a little rough around the edges, but it's got heart. [Sep 2007, p.86]- Nintendo Power
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It's not overly difficult, so younger players might get the most of it, but the novelty of seeing your creations come to life is a treat for all ages. [Dec 2009, p.88]- Nintendo Power
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The improved racer adds hills and dips to the 40-plus rally courses, as well as a much-needed save feature. [Aug 2002, p.146]- Nintendo Power
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A great feeling of speed and incredible feature depth make Chase for the Cup the best NASCAR game yet. [Nov 2004, p.130]- Nintendo Power
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Firmly planed in the blue bomber's action-packed side-scrolling past. [Apr 2003, p.80]- Nintendo Power
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Play Guilty Gear XX Accent Core with a GameCube or Classic controller, and you'll be treated to 2-D one-on-one fighting at its finest--beautifully animated, amazingly deep, and with more technique than the average gamer can comprehend. [Dec 2007, p.86]- Nintendo Power
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Admittedly, there's not a ton of variety (there are only four basic mission types), but it remains fun throughout thanks to extremely polished controls, visuals, and music, as well as a surprisingly cool (and funny) story. [Nov 2008, p.98]- Nintendo Power
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The game's motion controls work great with either the Wii Remote or the Wii Wheel, and are a little more forgiving than in Excite Truck. [May 2009, p.87]- Nintendo Power
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The realistic way these creatures move and act is by far the game's most impressive feature. [Nov 2008, p.95]- Nintendo Power
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The game's GCN namesake, figher One Piece: Grand Battle, recreates the atmosphere of the TV show to chaotic effect, but this GBA adventure is more streamlined and works better as a stand-alone game. [Nov 2005, p.114]- Nintendo Power
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If you're hungry for some classic 3-D platforming, Mushroom men is definitely worth checking out. [Holiday 2008, p.84]- Nintendo Power
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Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker is not quite a Pokemon pretender. [Dec 2007, p.86]- Nintendo Power
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Control hiccups aside, this year's Madden delivers another excellent game of pigskin. [Oct 2007, p.87]- Nintendo Power
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If you've got the patience to wrangle units, Age of Kings is a most worthy addition to your game library. [Mar 2006, p.85]- Nintendo Power