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
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    While Bug Academy might not be what you should use when you’re studying for your Entomology exam, it is still a blast to play. The asking price of $12.99 is well worth it. Bug Academy proved to me that bugs are more than just pests that wouldn’t be any fun in a video game.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Embracelet is a beautiful and emotional puzzle game with a focus on a story that explores maturity, identity and responsibility, both as an individual and as a global community.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Foregone is a good 2D action platformer, and worth a play-through. I’ve played many games that are easy to put down when the review is done, but Foregone is staying in my rotation for a while.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Battle for Neighborville: Complete Edition is a fun, colorful, silly game with a good amount of content to keep the player busy. While the game is older, this updated version is the obvious choice for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Yurukill: The Calumniation Games combines puzzle solving with bullet hell action to create a unique gaming experience. Its dark premise is handled with humor and an engrossing mystery that’ll push you quickly to a rewarding end, and various difficulty settings will make sure fans of both genres can get there.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    If you’ve already played Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons on another platform there’s not much in the story or in-game achievements to warrant another trip. Playing with a partner, however, creates a whole new experience that’s certainly worth sharing. And if you’ve never experienced this tale before, you should. The puzzles are fun, the story is touching, and it comes together in a way that’s likely to leave a lasting impact.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Monster Hunter Stories may be aimed at a younger audience than Capcom’s standard Monster Hunter games, but it still requires plenty of strategy when it comes to the turn-based fighting and reaching further in the game. If you’d rather collect and raise animals than hunt them, this is your story.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Is This Seat Taken? is a terrific little indie outing that will make you smile. The logic-based puzzles feature groups of fussy people who know what they want. It’s satisfying to help them find their place while following a sweet story about fitting in. Well done to the developers!
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Sunshine Manor is uniquely spine-tingling just in time for Halloween. The terrific visuals and excellent soundtrack, not to mention the ghostly plot of exploration, create a creepy-yet-fun vibe.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    A lot of fairly standard platformer stuff is given a whole new kind of charm in Never Give Up and it comes together to make a smart, funny game that really works.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Triangle Strategy pushes heavily into its narrative, perhaps to the detriment of its turn-based combat. That will turn some away. But for those who are willing to push through, you’ll find the game worth (nearly) every second you put into it. Excellent level design, diverse character abilities, and a tense political climate generate an engrossing experience for JRPG fans.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Arcade Archives RAIDEN brings the challenging and time-honored shmup to the Nintendo Switch. With HAMSTER’s extras, this is as good a time as any to revisit it or check it out for the first time. It’s an oldie but a goodie. It comes highly recommended, especially in co-op.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    As far as retro puzzle/platformers go, Moons of Darsalon is one of the most unique and entertaining I’ve played in quite some time. It’s engaging, it’s funny, and it’s frustrating in (usually) the most entertaining of ways. The gameplay, graphics, and audio combine to remind us that sci-fi is still allowed to be campy fun. Gil Gerard would be proud.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid provides a gaming adventure as cozy as its name. Its stakes may be low, but it packs in plenty to accomplish and will have players feeling nostalgic for a time they may have never even experienced.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Doomsday Vault is a cute puzzle game, with beautiful settings and challenging missions that delivers a powerful environmental message.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Overall. Mario Tennis Fever is a terrific entry in this long-running series. It adds a new gimmick that doesn’t distract from the game yet balances the playing field. Plus, you can turn it off if it’s not for you. With plenty of multiplayer modes and a decent solo adventure, this is a title that will satisfy even the most disgruntled of Mario Sports fans.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Arcade games are known for being to-the-point and energetic. Finding one that’s both of those things, and fast-paced, is a treasure. There’s definitely replayability in a title like Super Destronaut: Land Wars. Short as it might be overall, the game modes never get boring.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    HIX: Puzzle Islands is a surprisingly fun game. The fun puzzles strike a perfect balance between tricky and satisfying, with a truly relaxing ambience set amid a cute and well-designed world. It easily earns its E rating, as this is a title that can be enjoyed by everyone.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Prison City is a high-quality game in the NES mold, and its difficulty reflects that. But there are more than enough options, so most gamers will find some genuine enjoyment. And if you were an NES kid, you’ll enjoy this Retroware release even more! Newly updated and now with a physical edition, don’t overlook this game if you initially did. Whether you’re a collector springing for a physical copy or someone looking for a good value digital game, Prison City is great fun for fans of challenging retro-style action platformers.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    As someone with limited experience with games of this nature, Wild Hearts S has proved surprisingly addictive. Check out the demo if you’re curious, but I really believe it’ll be a game that grows on you. Even though I feel like there are certain respects where I’ve only scratched the surface (dozens of hours in, no less), the game is intuitive in the areas it needs to be. Such approachable depth that avoids the overwhelming trappings makes this game a winner and a keeper.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is a great turn-based JRPG that holds up exceptionally well against its modern competitors. The story and combat system are equally deep, allowing the game’s bigger moments to carry players through a fair amount of combat repetition and prolonged narrative dumps.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Move or Die: Unleashed is a fast and furious multiplayer game that’s so fun, it hurts. There are many crazy minigames to try, each with the overarching goal of moving or dying. It’s sure to have you laughing and cursing in equal measure.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    As management sims go, Discounty has the perfect balance of job tasks to make the game challenging and downtime to keep the game relaxing and cozy. The style is adorable, your character is customizable, the dialogue is funny, and the story is entertaining.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Summertime Madness is a short, yet challenging adventure puzzler with a great story and amazing visuals that create a very unique aesthetic. Whether you pick it up for the gameplay, the artwork or both, you won’t want to put it down until the summertime (or the madness) ends.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Lucy Dreaming is a point-and-click adventure game in which you play as a young girl whose determination to end her nightmares sends her on an investigation of a decade-old murder. With its quirky sense of humor and pixel art style, Lucy Dreaming tells a very fun and interesting story that is bound to keep you playing for hours.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Overall, Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a charming, beautiful, and challenging game that shows just how determined a child can be in the face of seemingly impossible odds. The love these children have for their parents is truly unstoppable.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Princess Peach: Showtime! is a welcome return to the spotlight for our favorite princess. It oozes charm, with loads of variety, providing plenty to do across multiple transformations, levels, and modes. It’s not super difficult, but it’s so entertaining that I don’t care. There are also multiple challenges and collectibles to keep players coming back for more.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a combination 2D side-scrolling combat game and 3D farming sim, and both elements are strong enough to stand on their own. You’ll need to master each to be successful, and you’ll have a fun time on both sides once you figure them out.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    With new features, modes, and various quality of life upgrades from its mobile origins, Part Time UFO on Switch continues to exemplify the fun and quirky sensibilities of HAL Labs without losing a step or grip.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Despite a few bugs and oversights, The Making of Karateka has become one of my favorite releases in 2023 and should be considered unmissable. Playing this interactive documentary, packed with history and fun remastered works, can’t help but make one wonder what Digital Eclipse plans next. How about a deep dive into Mechner’s later work, The Last Express?

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