Pure Nintendo's Scores

  • Games
For 2,169 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:
2169 game reviews
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ship of Fools is meant to be played co-op, either locally or online. The artwork is gorgeous, and the gameplay is fun and intense. You can play this one solo, but eventually, you’ll feel overwhelmed. If you and a friend are looking for a challenge, this one is for you.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Crackpet Show is a great game for anyone looking for a frantic, fast paced shoot-em up. It can get a little frustrating and repetitive, mostly when you’re stuck on a specific episode, but it’s original and great for short bursts of gameplay, especially on a portable system like the Switch.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Kukoos: Lost Pets is a 3D platformer in which you enter different universes to save pets that have gone rogue. In these universes, you have to tackle obstacles and puzzles to collect enough “fwendly” plants and coins, and to save enough pets. This game is made for anyone, and is exciting and fun.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    For the $9.99 price tag, Sword of the Vagrant gives you a lot of content, enough challenge, and a decent story to keep you wanting to get to the end. I just hope Vivian can eventually buy clothes in her travels, as running around in leather underwear seems drafty and embarrassing!
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ace Angler: Fishing Spirits is a fun game, especially if you enjoy collectathons. Many of the games come down to luck, but this title will keep you entertained for a few hours.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The platform and theme are simple, but Swordship is not easy. Its take on shmups is unique, its visuals are interesting and its story is just enough to inspire the whole “be the hero” ethos. If you like dodge-em games this one is a good addition to your game library.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Turn off the lights and go into your play of Inscryption knowing you will experience a narrative like no other. The gameplay is well done, but the story that lies under it is perfect. If you are a horror fan, do not skip this one.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Don’t look at Chained Echoes as a throwback to the 16-bit JRPGs of yesteryear, just look at it as an amazing game with an engaging battle system and wonderfully paced story. You can also look at it as one of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2022.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It Takes Two is a great co-op game to add to your Nintendo Switch library. It could even be something fun for you and your special someone to do on rainy days, or even a weekly date night. I would have really loved some side quests, or collectibles, but I still had a great time playing It Takes Two.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered offers a trip back to when JRPGs didn’t just offer multiple playthroughs, they counted on them. This game expects you to miss numerous events and items, and to want to try again. Because of its complexity and general aimlessness, however, I’m not sure many will want to.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Intrepid Izzy is a clear labor of love that looks great and plays well, although minor flaws stop it from being perfect. If you enjoy Shantae’s adventures, this is a nice homage to that series.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Orbital Bullet is a fine rougelike run ‘n gun game that can be fun for a few hours. Its circular stage design and rougelike randomness offer a wide ranging experience every time you play. That rougelike element will ultimately be the make-or-break for anyone’s enjoyment of the game. In my experience, it’s usually more unfair to you when you start a run, giving you the worst weapons, stages and enemies to fight. It also does nothing new that a few dozen other games haven’t done before. Orbital Bullet can best be described as an average experience designed for those who truly love roguelike games.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Oddworld: Soulstorm – Oddtimized Edition is a darker take that tests the titular Abe in a much bigger quest. The high-quality cinematic style is impressive, and the game plays well overall. It’s less humorous than the original, and lacks that nostalgic factor fans of the ‘90s versions may have. Yet it’s still a challenging and entertaining platformer that will test your patience and prowess.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Samurai Maiden gives players a goofy mix of hack-and-slash action, light platforming, and yuri fan service. Surprisingly, it also gives us some pretty fun combat when it’s not being overly frustrating. The game will appeal more to achievement completionists than those seeking a good (or even coherent) story, so consider that when looking at this game at full price.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Wobbledogs is a pet simulator in which you raise out-of-the-ordinary dogs. You care for them by feeding and playing with them. You can decorate their pens, and you can also breed them to create whatever breed you wish. It’s a good game for those who would like to just sit back and relax, and maybe create the weirdest pets imaginable.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Mario Kart has been the king of kart racing for a long time. These latest additions only serve to further cement this title, with stunning visuals and engaging gameplay that bring a smile every time; it’s just that good.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Buddy Simulator 1984 surprised me with the way it morphed from a text-based adventure into a creepy-yet-sweet story. If you’re looking for something completely different, this is one title you should consider checking out.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Once Upon a Jester is a classic hero quest told through some creative gameplay and writing. There are plenty of touching moments mixed in with the humor, which I wasn’t expecting. The music sets the scenes perfectly as well. What I love about Once Upon a Jester is that the creators took a lot of risks, from the story to the voice acting, and even the mechanics for putting on a show. And all of these features stick the landing. This game is everything I love about the indie scene.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Super Kiwi 64 is pretty decent overall and won’t hurt your wallet. That said, despite the many things working in its favor, it has a rough around the edges feel I didn’t expect. A patch may determine if this a game you go back to every so often or if it’s a one-and-done deal.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There’s a solid base for a kart game here, but there’s just not enough content to be considered a contender on the Switch. As a result, it’s hard to compete against something like Mario Kart. And priced at $40, spend the extra $20 and get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch instead.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Surprisingly, the online play works well, and it is cool to have a portable version of ARK for playing on the go. But would I recommend it on Nintendo Switch? $49.99 is…pricey for the quality. It’s worth it if you have no other way to play ARK, but only if it goes on sale. ARK: Ultimate Survivor Edition itself is a very good, if not great, game, but this port is more mediocre than the best it can be. While I like playing it on Switch as an existing fan, I’m not sure I would if I was new to the game.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In lesser hands, Harvestella’s balance of JRPG and farming sim could’ve ended up as a bland mishmash. Instead, Live Wire and Square Enix have created a solid blend. Its effective gameplay loop and engaging story push you down surprising paths that are fun to travel.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Space Tail comes across as an forgettably mediocre game. While its art direction and strong story start seem to lead to a potential great adventure, the game mechanics you use are fundamentally broken or just boring. This makes the entire experience feel dragged out and not fun. It’s a game that I played for this review and ultimately will never go back to. While it is by no means a bad game, Space Tail is a game I can’t recommend for people. There are plenty of better games on Nintendo Switch for you to check out.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Doraemon’s second Story of Seasons outing is another crossover event that’s likely to appeal to fans of both Doraemon and Story of Seasons. It looks fantastic and has a deep narrative, however the story can get it in the way of the actual farming at times.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    McPixel 3 is a gag-heavy mashup of microgames and ’90s adventure puzzles. It works when relying on speed and insanity, but its repetition and heavy reliance on trial-and-error solutions and gross-out humor will turn all but a few players away before completion.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Overall, Aquarist is a solid business simulation, but the clunky controls ruined the experience. Playing this game on the PC is probably the way to go.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dropsy is a game that tries to show the human species that being a good person does matter. While there were some things I would change, especially the controls (I personally couldn’t stand them), this is an interesting, original game. If you’re a fan of point-and-click adventures, you will definitely want to check this one out.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    As a whole, the Nintendo Switch version of Sifu is very good. The action fighting game has a reliable theme, good visual elements, interesting combat with smooth mechanics, a decent challenge level with a multitude of controls/moves, and a solid story.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fans of classic arcade games should love Donut Dodo, mainly because it gives them something new. It’s not a port; it’s a new game that looks, sounds, and plays like it should’ve been released in 1982. It’s a clever, low-cost addition to your digital arcade.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is an imaginative reinvention of the iconic Pokemon adventure, with a heart wrenching story and a real sense of soul, which is let down by sloppy mechanics, half-fulfilled ideas and disappointingly common cut corners.

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