Nintendo Life | Reviews

The Denpa Men 2: Beyond The Waves (3DS eShop) Review

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT

Beyond the Waves is everything we'd hoped for in a Denpa Men sequel. It's packed full of the addictive gameplay and quirky charm that made the first game so much fun, and piles on new features that add immensely to the experience. Fans of the original will be over the moon, and for anyone who missed out then, this is the time to jump in. If you're looking for a truly delightful dungeon-crawl, or simply one of the finest, funkiest eShop adventures around, we highly recommend setting your dial to Denpa.

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Super Nintendo) Review

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Judging from the stream of frustrated and bewildered posts on the Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Miiverse community, newcomers to this legendary SNES title could well be put off by its almost superhuman challenge. However, giving up too early means missing out on one of the most accomplished platform adventures of the '90s. Although it’s devilishly difficult, Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts is also inventive, enthralling, gorgeous to look at and joy to listen to. A superb enhancement of the already brilliant Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, this is 16-bit gaming at its most unforgiving, but with each level completed and each boss defeated, you feel like you’re growing in stature as a player — and surely that’s something all video games should aspire to achieve.

Mega Man 5 (NES) Review

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

When people ask about the best Mega Man game on the NES, Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3 tend to be the most common answers. Mega Man 5 should not be disregarded, however - it doesn't quite reach the highs of those two, but manages to come quite close and offers another solid Blue Bomber experience.

Resident Evil Revelations (Wii U) Review

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

For those that haven't experienced the 3DS game, or simply want to dive in again in HD on a big screen, Resident Evil Revelations on Wii U is a worthwhile investment. This title arguably delivers the franchise experience that didn't quite succeed in Resident Evil 5 and 6, combining moody environments, scares, action set-pieces and silly, campy storytelling in one enjoyable package. Raid mode is also a fantastic extra, adding hours and hours of value as you can brainlessly gun down creatures with a stranger, leveling up as you go.

If we had to choose a version to play, we'd lean to the 3DS, as what's exceptional and a perfect fit on the handheld is more in the very good category on Wii U. If we are to have a new home console Resident Evil experience in the near future, however, this remake should be taken as the starting point, as it shows that bombast and eye-watering budgets aren't the secrets to capturing the essence of the series.

Harvest Moon: A New Beginning (3DS) Review

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Harvest Moon: A New Beginning is a successful attempt to breathe new life into an ageing series. Taking players back to the basics that made Harvest Moon so charming in the first place, this one serves to combine the best of the series into a game that no fan should pass up. It may not be a game or genre that will appeal to all gamers universally, but series veterans will find something to love here. As one villager so adequately and profoundly sums it up, "This is your life. Find something you want to do with it and do it."

Swords & Soldiers 3D (3DS eShop) Review

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

In our review of the original Swords & Soldiers, we said this: "Naturally, an RTS game cannot go without a multiplayer mode", which means it shouldn't come as a surprise that the single-player only approach of Swords & Soldiers 3D is a disappointment. Much more disappointing, however, is just how badly that single-player experience is marred. The frame rate is terrible, the controls are about as poor as we could possibly imagine, and numerous unfortunate design choices intrude on any fun that could be had. Having Swords & Soldiers on the go should have been an easy war to win. Instead, we advise you to beat a hasty retreat.

The Starship Damrey (3DS eShop) Review

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 GMT

The Starship Damrey is more like a narrative experience than a typical video game, harking back to retro equivalents of the PC-age in the '90s. Rarely taxing, with the only dead ends coming because of a failure to thoroughly explore rooms and find relevant objects, it's all about the environment and piecing together a storyline. It's well written and utterly engrossing for fans of the genre or mystery sci-fi, even if its deliberate pacing and simplistic approach can be a turn-off to some. We expect this to be a divisive title, and it could do with a little extra content, but delivers exactly what it has promised, and is unapologetic as it does so.

Super Metroid (Super Nintendo) Review

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Super Metroid is a science-fiction masterpiece that not only redefined everything that was great about the Metroid series up until that point, but it also showcased a world striking enough to prove for the makings of a long-lasting franchise. Engrossing atmosphere, tight controls, pure exploration, and gnarly bosses are just a few of the things that make this an unforgettable experience from front-to-back, and we can’t think of a reason as to why you shouldn’t download this game immediately and at least give it shot. It honestly hasn’t aged a day, like many of its SNES brethren, which is a testament as to why the system is often regarded as one of the best home consoles of all time. Clear a space on your Wii U dashboard, Samus Aran needs somewhere to land her gunship.

Dress To Play: Magic Bubbles! (3DS eShop) Review

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:05:00 GMT

Players going in to Dress to Play: Magic Bubbles! looking for a fulfilling fashion experience are likely to leave the changing room disappointed; a small selection of clothes and very little variety beyond the accessories means Dress takes a distant backseat to Play. As a basic match-three puzzler that happens to have an added dress-up component, however, Magic Bubbles is a solid, engaging experience. Add in a charming presentation and an accessible two-player mode, and you've got a game with plenty of good clean fun for budding bubble busters.

Star Wars Episode I: Racer (Nintendo 64) Review

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Star Wars Episode I: Racer is a solid racing game, featuring tight game mechanics, great track design and impressive visuals. Despite being based on a film which most Star Wars fans would rather forget, the fast and frantic gameplay more than makes up for it, and LucasArts should be commended for having developed that fateful pod race into such a sizeable and varied experience. Unfortunately, the multiplayer is disappointing, especially in comparison to other N64 multiplayer hits, making this game more ideal for the single-player. Moreover, the rather harsh climb in difficulty may not be to everyone's taste. Nevertheless, if you're looking for an extensive single-player racing experience, then Star Wars Episode I: Racer is certainly worth a go.

California Super Sports (DSiWare) Review

Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Taken as a cohesive package, California Super Sports doesn’t come off as merely lazy; it comes off as halfway catatonic. There’s not an ounce of charm to be found anywhere at all, and poking into every corner will take no longer than half an hour. It’s doubtful many players will even make it through all of mini-games before quitting in disgust, which is a lucky break considering Rollerblade is last on the list. Parting with any amount of currency for this downloadable sham is ill-advised, as is playing for free or thinking too hard about it. California Super Sports may look like Wii Sports on the surface, but like your old friend who fell to the infected jaws of a zombie, there’s nothing more than an empty husk left. Also, it might consume your brain.

Xevious (NES) Review

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Xevious on the NES was a solid and very straightforward port of an arcade classic. While there are no additional bells and whistles, the game represents everything that was great about the arcade original and does so in a way that should please fans of the game. The simplicity of the game still resounds and proves that you don't always have to have a lot of complexity to make a fun shooting experience. If you can appreciate a good old-fashioned arcade shooter, you should definitely give Xevious a try. About the only thing better would be a straight up arcade release on the Virtual Console.

Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES) Review

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:30:00 GMT

Super Mario Bros. 2 is mainly remembered for the things it does differently from the other Mario platformers, but taken on its own merits it's a fantastic game. Its colourful, cartoonish graphics hold up brilliantly, the soundtrack is unforgettable and the four playable characters and hidden goodies make for a varied experience every time you play. It's a great deal of fun and is far more challenging than its reputation suggests, and it's a title we're always glad to see more gamers discover.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS) Review

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D may be a port less than three years after its original, but it has a new burst of life on Nintendo's handheld. The 3D effect has arguably never been better used in a platformer on the system — ironic as it wasn't originally designed for the hardware — and it's a technically sound iteration of one of the Wii's very best games. This is platforming at its finest, imaginative, exciting and playful, while also laying on a serious challenge for veterans and skillful players. The New Mode helps less experienced gamers along, though they'll need to learn and improve quickly, and if you're diligent there are eight terrific new stages to discover.

It's not as silky smooth as its Wii predecessor, which strips it of perfection, but it does dispense of waggle. If you haven't played this on Wii and want it on the go, this is a must-buy. If you're wondering whether to double-dip, you can be confident that this isn't a half-baked sloppy port, but does the original justice. It's most certainly on like... well, we're not allowed to say that, but you know what we mean.

Solomon's Key (NES) Review

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:00:00 GMT

It’s easy to see why Solomon’s Key has retained such a loyal following to this day, but in the same breath we can understand why many people find it to be a frustrating experience. This is an extremely challenging game that may be too unforgiving for a great many gamers due to steep difficulty spikes and sometimes imprecise controls. But it’s important to remember, patience and practice are the keys to success, and if you enjoy putting your brain to a tough task, there’s a lot of fun to be had here. Unlock Solomon’s Key from the Wii U eShop – if you dare. You might just be happy you did.

Pac-Man (NES) Review

Sun, 12 May 2013 18:00:00 GMT

The simplicity of the concept, coupled with the insane amount of playability, makes Pac-Man one of the all-time greats. You'd think roaming a maze eating up dots would be a redundant affair, but the layout of the maze and the AI of the ghosts does a fantastic job of mixing things up and keeping the gameplay fresh and challenging. The NES version is one of the closest to the original arcade titles you'll find and in reality, it was a long time coming given some of the lacklustre attempts and bringing the arcade original to a home console. If you feel like taking a trip down memory lane, this is a game you definitely should check out.

SpeedX 3D Hyper Edition (3DS eShop) Review

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

SpeedX 3D Hyper Edition is a fun and seriously fast tunnel racer with an alluring neon aesthetic, and it's a great showcase for 3D done right. It's also not the unequivocal upgrade from last year's release that you might expect, because along with the improved graphics and a lower price-point comes a drop in gameplay modes, difficulty levels, and control options. The framerate improvement alone is enough for us to recommend this as the version to pick up for newcomers, but it's a shame that it comes at the cost of a reduced feature set. For those who already own the original, it's much harder to justify what is essentially a repurchase, especially when you're losing nearly as much as you'd gain from the "upgrade". Still, if you're looking for a blink-and-die endless racer - and if the original isn't already on your 3DS - SpeedX 3D Hyper Edition is an excellent choice.

Publisher Dream (DSiWare) Review

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Publisher Dream is a title with some good ideas and can be an interesting, enjoyable experience. Basic ideas of running your own game development studio are there and work well, but some strange, restrictive design choices combine with some rough edges to take away its sheen. Decent value at its budget price, this is more C+ than Triple-A.

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (3DS eShop) Review

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

If a common enemy can bring two adversaries together then players must've done something real horrid to get the plumber and the ape to team up against them like this. A hectic pace and near-constant tension make Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move’s puzzles feel all the more diabolical, if not a little unfair at times, and conquering them all requires the patience of a saint and the cunning of The Saint. While this entry of the series doesn’t really justify the move into 3D with retaining stubbornly flat gameplay, there’s still plenty of fun to be had with Minis on the Move. Just remember to take a deep breath from time to time.

Balloon Fight (NES) Review

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Balloon Fight is fun. It’s been fun for 29 years. Whacking birds out of the sky is fun, dodging the deadly fish is fun, playing with a buddy is fun, and competing for the highest score is fun. The trick lies in finding that simple, one-note gameplay continuously enjoyable for more than an hour, especially with so many superior games just waiting to be picked up. The nostalgic and the curious will still find plenty of love here and newcomers may be converted to the addicting arm-swinging adventure, but watch the price tag before leaping in.