Nintendo Life's Scores

  • Games
For 1,378 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 48% higher than the average critic
  • 20% same as the average critic
  • 32% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 10.6 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 62
Highest review score:
Critic Score 100
Lowest review score:
Critic Score 10
Score distribution:
1,378 game reviews
    • Metascore: 83
    • Critic Score 90
    Intersect is a masterpiece of addictive puzzling – a potent culmination of the series’ trademark soothing aesthetics and completely frantic and infuriating gameplay. Though not the simplest puzzle game around, once you’ve mastered some of its tricks Art Style Intersect will have you hooked.
    • Metascore: 86
    • Critic Score 90
    The biggest complaints about the original LostWinds were that it was too easy and therefore didn’t take long to complete. Thankfully, both of these issues have been addressed - the difficulty has been upped slightly and the game is quite a bit longer, taking about four hours to complete in its entirety.
    • Metascore: 70
    • Critic Score 90
    With more tracks, more bonus features and more strategic racing challenges, Excitebike: World Rally is a racing game that will keep you challenged with its ever-increasing difficulty and entertained with its track editor and online play.
    • Metascore: 79
    • Critic Score 90
    It's original, it's inexpensive and it's fun. Void is a perfect addition to the Bit.Trip series and is, arguably, the best of the batch so far, retaining the addictive charms of the previous two titles while carving out a strong and unique identity of its own.
    • Metascore: 87
    • Critic Score 90
    Fingers are now firmly crossed that this sublime title finds the audience it so clearly deserves.
    • Metascore: 87
    • Critic Score 90
    It’s a quality game as was Phantom Hourglass before it, and even though at times it feels too much like a retread of past games, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable jaunt through Hyrule and puts most other DS titles to shame with its overall quality.
    • Metascore: 77
    • Critic Score 90
    The game's delightfully retro-esque presentation only helps improve the overall package, and makes this not just one of the best 500 Point games available, but one of the best DSiWare games period.
    • Metascore: 78
    • Critic Score 90
    Sure the game is a bit predictable at times and there aren't as many modern Castlevania conveniences as some might hope for, but at its core, this is yet another extremely playable and enjoyable 2D Castlevania experience and when it comes right down to it, there could never be too much of that for diehard fans of the series, new or old.
    • Metascore: 84
    • Critic Score 90
    Sure the game might be a bit on the short side, but given the game's addictive gameplay and fairly high degree of difficulty, it's difficult to complain, especially considering the game will only set you back 500 Nintendo Points.
    • Metascore: 58
    • Critic Score 90
    The unique blend of platforming and shooting, not to mention two different perspectives, give Blaster Master: Overdrive everything fans of original game could possibly want. Toss in some amazing gameplay tweaks and give the game a smoother difficulty curve and what you have is easily one of the best WiiWare games on the service and a fitting update to one of the all-time NES classics.
    • Metascore: 87
    • Critic Score 90
    Although they fail to push the series forward with any true innovations, they excel at retooling now almost obsolete titles into must-haves for fans.
    • Metascore: 87
    • Critic Score 90
    Although they fail to push the series forward with any true innovations, they excel at retooling now almost obsolete titles into must-haves for fans.
    • Metascore: 88
    • Critic Score 90
    Not only are the physics in the game absolutely spot-on, but the intuitive control scheme made possible by the Wii Remote makes playing the game easy and fun.
    • Metascore: 81
    • Critic Score 90
    Mega Man 10 is everything you could want out of sequel and more.
    • Metascore: 75
    • Critic Score 90
    It's a coming of age story that seems aimed at a younger crowd, but that didn't stop us being captivated by the characters and ultimately moved by the sentimental dramas played out.
    • Metascore: 81
    • Critic Score 90
    Rage of the Gladiator is the kind of WiiWare game we'd like to see more often, with excellent control, great design and bags of fun. All three control schemes are perfectly usable and whilst we're sure there are many traditionalists who will stick to the digital controls, we highly rate the MotionPlus implementation which features one-time calibration (no pointer clicking required between matches) and a pretty good workout besides.
    • Metascore: 82
    • Critic Score 90
    Fans looking to purchase WarioWare D.I.Y. simply to play the microgames might be a bit disappointed with the lack of variety in the included titles, but those who are willing to put in the time and effort to become familiar with the creation tools will likely find a very powerful and rewarding gaming experience limited only by their imaginations and free time.
    • Metascore: 89
    • Critic Score 90
    It's almost impossible to convey the sheer amount of charm and personality found throughout Cave Story. The game's eccentric world draws you in from the moment you begin playing and the ever-increasing intensity and action only further maintain the game's enjoyable gameplay scheme.
    • Metascore: 78
    • Critic Score 90
    On the surface, AlphaBounce appears to be the umpteenth generic Arkanoid clone, but looks can deceive! It offers far more content than any other iteration of the game, and will keep you entertained far longer, especially with the customizable envelopes and balls. We're quite confident in saying that this is perhaps the best Arkanoid-esque game ever made.
    • Metascore: 82
    • Critic Score 90
    Despite the occasional visual and control quirks, X-Scape is, quite simply, a fantastic follow-up to a game that the West barely knew. Loaded with content, ambitious and borderline experimental in aesthetic, it's got enough meat on its bones to rival a lot of retail releases and certainly stands tall on DSiWare.
    • Metascore: 68
    • Critic Score 90
    Art Style: Penta Tentacles is a real treat for the senses: it's visually beautiful and controls well with an outstanding soundtrack that engages and immerses the player into the simple, but compelling gameplay.
    • Metascore: 87
    • Critic Score 90
    You can't help but marvel at how the developers were somehow able to squeeze a console-sized RPG epic onto the diminutive DS, especially given how mammoth the quest itself is.
    • Metascore: 78
    • Critic Score 90
    Taking many of the enjoyable visual, musical, and gameplay aspects of the DS Castlevania releases, the game molds together an absolutely terrific platforming experience that's not only extremely playable, but also wildly enjoyable as well.
    • Metascore: 81
    • Critic Score 90
    Not only do you get a host of new tracks and vehicles, but the same frantic capture the flag style gameplay returns in all of its glory.
    • Metascore: 69
    • Critic Score 90
    Ivy the Kiwi is the perfect example of the type of enjoyable and refreshing gaming experience that can be created when a developer isn't afraid to try something a little different.
    • Metascore: 74
    • Critic Score 90
    There's no denying that Ivy the Kiwi? is absolutely overflowing with charm and personality.
    • Metascore: 83
    • Critic Score 90
    Broken Rules certainly lives up to its name with And Yet It Moves, and the result is an addictive and memorable puzzle-platformer sure to please anyone with an affinity for either genre.
    • Metascore: 79
    • Critic Score 90
    It's an excellent shake-up to the series, one that will satisfy long-time fans with an open mind while also able to ease newcomers into the series with a bang of bangs. It may not be the Citizen Kane of gaming, but it's still essential playing.
    • Metascore: 86
    • Critic Score 90
    It's safe to say that if you're a fan of the franchise, this is a game you absolutely do not want to miss. And if by chance you've yet to experience the series, this enthralling title should offer up all the incentive you need to finally give it a try.
    • Metascore: 79
    • Critic Score 90
    EA's NBA Jam revival is not only a ridiculously good time, but it's among the best arcade sports games on any platform this generation.