Pure Nintendo's Scores

  • Games
For 2,170 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 48% higher than the average critic
  • 21% same as the average critic
  • 31% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 4.1 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 71
Score distribution:
2170 game reviews
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Baron: Fur is Gonna Fly is a clever, comical, completely accessible combat game that’ll appeal to arcade action fans of any age level. Gameplay is tight, the characters are engaging, and the music is simply outstanding. The Royal Guardsmen would definitely be proud…even if Snoopy himself is called out here.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While the replay value falls short once you’ve beaten the game, Trine 2: Complete Story offers plenty of challenging content to keep you busy for a while.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Because of its dedicated focus on strategy, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia is a refreshing change to today’s gimmicky turn-based JRPGs. Its serious story, unique gameplay elements, and challenging scenarios will appeal to those who recall a time when tactical games were more about strategy and less about selecting their waifu.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Star Wars: The Force Unleashed may be an older game, but it’s still fun to play and Star Wars fans who haven’t previously enjoyed this title should give it a go. The engaging story and excellent voice work help bring it to life, despite the slightly dated graphics and relatively simple gameplay.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hypercharge: Unboxed is a fun and unique addition to the small library of shooters already on the Nintendo Switch. Digital Cybercherries’ debut title on the platform offers fun and addictive wave-based shooter gameplay for all ages. With the game’s cute art style and smooth performance, it is hard to go wrong with picking up a content-filled game like this.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The appeal of BBG Entertainment’s Astrosmash remake is not in what it modernizes, but in what it retains from the original. Although it looks good and runs great on the Nintendo Switch, its best feature is how accurately it recreates the feeling of playing it on the Intellivision in the early ’80s.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tardy is a rich combination of story and puzzles that blends past and future in a charming and surprisingly emotional game.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Players who have not experienced any of the titles, just one, or just want them all together in one place, should pick this up. Fans of puzzlers and platforming alike should certainly look into the Mighty Switch Force! Collection. Honestly, the price of $19.99 is an amazing value, considering the amount of content included.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Basically an officially licensed version of What the Dub?!, RiffTrax: The Game succeeds as a creative/comedy party game by adding the familiar voices of the RiffTrax crew. A few gameplay tweaks improve the dialogue riffing formula, but more movie clips and some variation in the game’s rounds would keep the fun running longer.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you’re looking for an enjoyable alternative after playing Mario Kart 8 for the past five years, Team Sonic Racing smoothly drifts its way to a decisive silver trophy. Start your engines!
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    You’ll surely enjoy Pinball FX – Williams Pinball Volume 9, though some may want to wait for a sale that matches the FX3 volume pricing. In either case, those with “crazy flipper fingers” can expect a good time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    While a cheap shot somewhat spoils what otherwise would be an excellent game, Rush Rover is still is an amazing value and good title.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The Perfect Pencil mixes a really cool hand-drawn style with a dark, symbolic story about inner struggles. The gameplay follows a familiar Metroidvania formula, but creative enemy designs and the analysis mechanic keep it engaging. Frustrating save points hold it back a bit, but it’s still a solid and slightly unsettling experience.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics doesn’t do much to stand out from other turn-based tactics games, but it treats both the genre and the show—and therefore the fans of each—with the respect they deserve.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Even though The Red Strings Club is in a pixelated genre which is oversaturated, the story all but makes up for it. I would recommend this despite its controls for anyone on a budget looking for a great story-telling game, and for all sci-fi/cyberpunk fans.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Okinawa Rush is a fun albeit repetitive game whose nonstop fighting action shows why the SNES era was so great. Fantastic retro vibes in terms of music, too.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited carry aspects of their age with them, but this bundle of two somewhat obscure RPGs still provides a deep, detailed, dungeon-crawling experience that is well-suited to the Switch handheld.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Unruly Heroes is far from a bad game. In fact, it has some of my favorite platforming of recent memory, at least in terms of pure gameplay. It just lacks the polish needed for platformer completionists like me, and it’s uncompelling story and music did not help. At least the developers are supporting it with content, despite it being months after its launch. If you are looking for an affordable platformer, this game is a must, but don’t expect to be putting in the same hours as Yoshi’s Crafted World.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Pictooi is a fun picross game with a simple and well-presented style. It’s lacking a few features, but the puzzles are enjoyable and the daily brain training element is a nice feature for anyone who likes to flex that particular muscle.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Tomb Raider fans will appreciate the effort here in terms of faithfulness to the classic games, with both clear and subtle nods. Like Pinball FX as a whole, I’d hesitate to recommend this on the Nintendo Switch. But if you have a Switch 2, you’ll appreciate both of these pinball tables for different reasons.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Piczle Puzzle & Watch Collection has games that are merely okay overall if you aren’t a fan of this style already. But as a collection overall, this is a good release. It makes a positive impression, and its retro approach comes in at a fair price.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Touhou Spell Bubble is a clever and challenging game that combines bubble popping mechanics with rhythm elements and surprisingly intricate strategies. The price may be high, but it’ll pay off if you’re able to stick with it—especially if you can squeeze extra life out of local multiplayer instead of having to rely on the DLC purchases.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Overall, Redout is an amazing racing game and by far the best anti-gravity one on Nintendo Switch. It offers simplistic but meaningful customization, diverse environments, and RPG-like mechanics that provide replay ability, all without sacrificing performance for the most part. There was only one thing that was a big turn-off for me, and that was it’s online multiplayer.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The original Pinball Quest mostly succeeded despite itself. Now, players can see its clever ideas less saddled by curious ones. The game is less of a drain and endurance test. While there are better NES pinball games, fans of retro video pinball should find this a fun addition to their Switch library. Pinball Quest is marketed as the first of a series of Jaleco Famicom re-releases. I’m excited to see what follows. Hopefully, more thought is put into features, jettisoning some unimportant ones for those that better enhance the games.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    While the number of games in this collection pales next to many other Switch compilations, shmup fans up for a challenge probably won’t want to sleep on this one. Irem Collection Volume 1 offers some entertaining fun that will put your skills to the test. How about some love for Irem’s In The Hunt next?
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land takes the series in a direction that will appeal to fans of open world JRPGs, but may leave fans of previous Atelier games scratching their head. It also has numerous technical issues on the Switch. It’s still a fun adventure, it just leaves room to improve in its inevitable sequels.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It’s not just the history and nostalgia, but the high quality, sense of discovery, and genuine allure that’s undeniable with this pioneer. It’s proven to be a timeless journey. But this Switch port of realMyst: Masterpiece Edition needs an update, to add some missing features and fix the significant audio glitches, to be genuinely outstanding.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Castle Kong gives Donkey Kong a colorful visual refresh and an extreme challenge bump, but otherwise sticks closely to the formula that made it a legend. Fans of classic arcade games will enjoy it, and will be thankful they don’t have to drop another quarter with each frustrated restart.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A former Apple Arcade exclusive, Little Orpheus successfully brings its cinematic platformer action to Nintendo Switch. This throwback to pulp movie serials works well on the TV screen, and the gameplay is better suited to Joy-Con controls than a touchscreen. The sense of wonder does slowly wear off, but it’s a quick, casual adventure worth completing.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Air Conflicts: Secret Wars maintains the pretty visuals and action-packed battles of the rest of the series, with a story that offers it more substances than its sisters.

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