Earlier this week, Nintendo Switch got its very own Calculator. It's oddly pricey, and arguably entirely unnecessary, but the absurdity of it all turned it into one of the week's most-talked-about Nintendo Switch releases. We're being serious – news is slow right now.
Anyway, Switch owners are now taking things one step further, seemingly having a wonderful time sharing their reviews – real or not – of the new release. We decided to take a quick look at Calculator on Metacritic (because that's what our lives have become), and while there aren't any official critic reviews, there are some fan reviews. Here are a few:
"So many twists in the final half hour of this one. I'm a little awed at how far the developers took this one. Didn't save ANYthing for the inevitable sequel."
"GOTY, the game hace [sic] a good price, is best game i tried in my life, all the characters are balanced"
"The best game on Nintendo Switch ever, it's just a master piece and deserves GOTY"
GOTY, huh? Maybe it is worth picking up after all?
Over on Reddit, one Switch owner who seemingly has bought the app has posted an almost-500-word review summing up their thoughts. "I can tell you right off the bat the gameplay is lacking," it reads. "The calculator is permanently in 'Degrees' mode. No radians in sight. Maybe good for the engineer, but not for the Calculus student!"
They ended up giving it a 9/10 despite the flaws mentioned, which almost surprised us more than the fact that they purchased it in the first place.
There's more, too, as YouTubers are also getting in on the action. There are videos like 'I Paid $10 for Calculator on the Nintendo Switch', which sounds more like a confession than a review, and then there's this one which gave us a good chuckle and is genuinely worth a watch:
Have you played Calculator? Have these reviews convinced you to give it a go? Why are we doing this to ourselves?
Comments 116
It's so unnecessary and overpriced, but I kind of want to buy it. You know, just because.
It's waaaaaay to expensive. I could go to staples and buy a calculator for less than this
@ObeseChihuahua2 For the Memes my friend, for the Memes.
This game is a MASTERPIECE in the gaming world, and shows an example of the level of work nintendo needs to achieve. This game takes a simple concept of mathematics and manages to create a simple game with layer upon layer of intricate detail. You can see how the developers really cared about this game and tried to make the greatest game they could. 10/5, would play again.
The price just doesn't add up with this one
I like games with menus and games where I have to optimize and calculate the best strategy, so this was a day buy one for me.
I wonder if anybody has done a review that's just the "Calculator" bit from The Amazing World of Gumball episode "The Uploads".
I just hope we might hear about some dlc for this at e3
This is wonderful.
Looking forward to the update that included cloud saves, online multiplayer and hopefully a graphics DLC.
The thing that gets me is that the devs clearly nicked the interface and buttons from the calculator of the iPhone's early days. And lets be honest - early iOS versions are fugly compared to modern UI design. I wonder if the code is even their own?
The only basis for these guys to make any money is sheer balliness.
The video was great though!
Nintendo is sure to cash in on the craze with Calculator 99, Calculator for Smash and a Calculator amiibo.
I did it.
https://www.metacritic.com/user/LouBlu08
So at what price would you guys feel this is good value, and buy it?.
The way some are going on, you would think Nintendo are forcing people to buy this.
My honest Review for Calculator:
Pros-
Hands down best looking game on Switch
over 100 hours of main story content
Unlimited replayability
Rich story
Sprawling landscapes
Catchy as all hell music
10/10 voice acting
very likable main character and cast
Cons-
Has very few but noticeable frame rate dips
A bit to much fanservice at times
A few copy and paste quests
Some minimal but noticeable cringe dialogue
Some emotional moments don't pack as much as a punch as they want to
The imposter is sus
Spoiler Alert:Jerry is literally killed off in the last 30 minutes in the dumbest way possible
(10/10) GOTY for sure
@JJ_Brum mass appeal for the price tag seems divided.
Math.....Number's......Typing..... if you like any of the thing's listed, you will like this game-Review by_Snatcher_ score_10/10.
almost like everyone's making fun of bad games, while upping their score at the same time, and then dunking actually good games with 1 star reviews.
This seems insane but its becoming so viral now that it might actually sell really well
You know what, fair play to them, the developers have just gained some spotlight and gained some extra sales in the process.
ooo LimitedRunGames needs to do a physical release. Seriously, it would actually sell.
The only thing that could make this more amusing is if it was published by Kemco
The gameplay loop is addictive, also in the technical front, game runs flawlessly, some minor dips when calculating sine and cosine but nothing that breaks immersion 10/10.
Calculator: Coming to Smash soon!
ign: to much numbers, 6 out of 10!
@LouBlu08 I disliked your review and reviewed the game a ten in spite!
After playing this masterpiece of game design, I don’t need botw 2 this year
“Mom, but I need my Switch for math homework.”
Too many games in the backlog. I’ll wait for it to go on sale.
You can "count" on this one!
@earthinheritor I imagine the special edition might even include a physical calculator! Special price of just $80!
@ObeseChihuahua2 no YOU NEED TO BUY IT.
It IS the best game for the year. It is GOTY
Also buy it for THE MEMES
Looks like the makers of this app have played a blinder. They don't care if people are buying it ironically or not!
This is for all those guys who spent the last four years complaining the Switch needs more QOL improvements, media and apps, because gods forbid a gaming device should only play games (you know who you are). Now your $300 hybrid console is also a calculator. Happy now?
Really great game. The begging game starts off slow but by the middle you become fully entranced in the journey with your party of numbers and their quest to beat the modifier legion. !spoiler alert! The leader of subtraction kills 3 in the final battle but is revived by the ultimate addition master and ends up being the hero who defeats all of the multiplication masters multiplied minions
You know, it does seem like an unnecessary app, but I have to say the developer saw a need (albeit not a realistic one for the hardware) and tried their best to fill that need. So, I applaud them for putting this out and taking the time to make this app! Well done.
Wonder why it's not a graphing calculator?
That'd probably be worth 10$ or whatever it costs. Those things are what, 100$ standalone?
Remember when review bombing was condemned here?
Guess not.
I like this guy! I am glad you are showing off his stuff. He reviews cheap stuff that noone wants to play. Hes helped me to find "hidden gems" among those games though.
Just got my physical copy at Staples, love the box art, only problem is it doesn’t fit into the cartridge port of the Switch. I emailed Nintendo and now I have to send them the cart and my Switch so they can fix it. It was a good deal, but a little more hassle than it’s worth.
NINJA APPROVED
@XiaoShao What about a full size character art poster?
@BrunoSpatchcock
Nintendo didn't set the price.
@misterflipnote that was comedy. I got a new high score last night.
@TheFullAndy
Yeah, but Nintendo allows this practice in the shop.
They don’t let anyone to vote games.
And the ugliest thing is they don’t accept refunds.
Its a simple premise flipped on its head better then botw must play
The appeal of this has to be its sheer unexpectedness. On par with walking out of Resurrection in BoTW. The HD rumble makes the button clicks feel like the real thing! I pulled out my 10-key just to see is I could tell the difference. Nope! (Except the lack of paper)
It's super stable too... No updates needed.
@BizarreJelly28980 for an indy title tike this I expect 60 frames per second locked. Dips and pop-in are inexcusable for this price even in handheld mode.
Does this mean you can wear your Switch around your wrist?
MATLAB for Nintendo Switch to keep engineers happy XD
Star seeker on nintendo life? Omg, his channel is gonna blow. He is a great youtuber i've been following since a few months ago
@Cikoltan
They accept refunds if a game is broken, otherwise live with your poor choice.
This app being on the eshop hurts no one nor do any other games people consider shovelware, one person's trash is another person's treasure and all that.
Also user reviews would be pretty worthless, wouldn't trust them at all, just look at this article sure.
@iuli
As long as Chris mentions the framerate, it matters to people!
Can't you just picture a bespectacled scientist in a white lab coat striding into the lab with a Nintendo Switch tucked under his arm?
@Low_ink Why, I outta....
@FaroreAbhorsen Ikr
@1ofUs was it really necessary to add the mask part though
The square root of boredom. This is why Nintendo needs to release some good games, and quickly!
Buy ye later, calculator
But have y'all seen the night vision app that uses the joy con IR sensor and has about the same clarity and frame rate as a Game Boy Camera? Game of the year.
But think, people, the iPad still doesn't have a built in calculator. So you need to download a calculator app for an iPad. Most of those have ads or they track you.
This "game" however, gives you a fully featured calculator on the Switch. No ads, no tracking.
The price, however, is bad. It should've been €1 to €2 max.
Well with this success hopefully this paves the way for a Abacus game!
On a side note I couldn't help but notice something said in the article: "We're being serious – news is slow right now." If that's the case then by all means start pumping out more reviews and/or mini reviews. There's always so many games released weekly. I'll admit most are shovelware but at least pick out a few more from them here and there. I feel like lately NL has turned into more of news of various games coming soon, rumor articles borderline tabloid territory and barely any reviews. With so many games releasing you'd think it would be the other way around. Just a suggestion from a complete nobody. No harm intended.
Now let's get Obilus added to Smash!
@hlang
Final Smash: Divide by Zero
A division by zero walks into a bar
"We normally don't serve mathematical operands," says the barkeep, "but in your case, we'll make an exception."
At least it's not a port
This is why I don't trust player reviews.
These devs had to know they’d get that meme money. Not sure who the joke is in at this point.
Further proof that Metacritic is untrustworthy.
And somehow Nintendo is showing once again that online stores still don't have quality control
@1ofUs yeah so silly. I could also go to Staples (with my mash off) and get one for that price
@1ofUs ok?
@hlang Ah, that's what I came for. Thanks!
NINJA APPROVED
The calculator saved my life. Was about to end it all by jumping off Nipplehime, but this... This... Dare I say, Masterpiece, caught my attention.
Beautifully crafted. Balanced gameplay. Wonderful music. When you press a number, it shows up on screen. It told me a most beautiful truth. You ready for this? You'll never believe it when I tell you, but.. 2+2 is ... 4! WOAH! I need to sit down real quick. If you don't believe me, please, get it for yourself. Understand true gameplay the way I have. Save yourself the way I have. Bask in the gloriousness that is the Nintendo Switch Calculator App. You won't be disappointed.
When I see someone’s play time above 100 hours I’ll start questioning my own life.
Another one of Sabec's masterpieces. So far their most basic apps and games have bugs or are borderline broken, so I wouldn't bet a penny for this one to work as intended.
If I could have used this calculator on the ACT, I would have gone to Yale
This is the type of quality articles I expect from NL.
The worst part is that it has a rather low digit limit for something on a souped up phone.
I mean, why not. Maybe on this way, people start realizing how much money they spend on the Eshop lol
I was going to buy this for my daughter but I heard it has "boobs" in it. Can any one confirm and what is the rating for the game?
This. This. Right here.
https://youtu.be/YeAp15OmW2s
I love the excuses of “Oh, they’re just kidding” or “It’s just a joke, we’re making fun of the app!”
It’s just so stupid people are giving this app attention - something shovel ware developers DO NOT deserve. It’s a tool that comes with most modern non-gaming devices.
I know how to type 80085 and also 7734 and turn it upside down.
I had one of those fancy graphing calculators. I didn't learn much maths, but I did make animations of leather daddy's doing as leather daddy's do.
@RetroXombi : Rated M for Mammaries.
The devs are hoping to appeal the rating and get a T for Titties.
Is there an auto-save feature for this game? I'd hate to multiply all those numbers and accidentally hit C and lose all that progress.
Nintendo has balls of stone for thinking anyone would be dumb enough to pay $10 for an app that's standard on smartphones
Where's my preorder bonus? And when is the DLC dropping?
@JJ_Brum slowest clap I can possibly muster
@EnergemKeeper It's not developed or published by Nintendo. Also Nintendo doesn't set the prices for the eShop games.
So yeah, how is Nintendo "dumb" here?
I saw a physical edition of this going for £6 at W H Smiths.
Do they know your cellphone has a calculator, for free.
I can't wait until we get Calculator representation in Smash.
@Tandy255 in class: "yeah, but does your calculator run Crysis?"
Curious for the any% speedruns.
Just great for the heart attack. You can now calculate the total amount of money spent so far buying softwares, repairing joycons and other accessories for the Nintendo switch, isn't that great losing all that greens?
Comments on this site: When are we getting Calculator 2? Why does Nintendo hate maths?
@misterflipnote That episode was so good. Richard playing the calculator like an RPG was inspired lol.
The price i very well calculated in favor of the creator to fill that bank account.
Lol but serious why a calculator on switch?
I'm so disappointed in so many ways.
@Dizavid imagine if the last dlc character is just + lmao
Meh... I already have several physical copies of this game, I think I'll skip this one.
I’m going to hold out for the $40 Limited Run version
General Public: Nintendo games don't have good graphics
Calculator on Switch: Am I a joke to you?
This might actually become GOTY the way things are going.
Not gonna lie..it had me going there because......spoilers.......7,8,9....
Sadly, u don't have to own the game to leave reviews there, so most of these people probably didn't own it, or possibly even a switch...
No RPN mode. One star. Would not recommend.
I have this on Mobile. It's WAY better.
Not sure why people would need it in anyway but nothing wrong with people paying for it to be on their Switch if that's something they're really into...... but I'm not changing my mind about it being overpriced in comparison to what you can have on PC, Phones and Android Phones.
This has rocked my world. In school we all used to giggle over ‘8008135’ (boobies) not boobless. Boobless is sadder than the celebration of boobs that is boobies.
Also if they added in explosion noises when you press equals... I might like this game
EA, UbiSoft or Activision Blizzard would have kept the numbers 7, 8 and 9 as paid dlc.
If only we could emulate the TI-82/83 my life would be complete.
No Netflix, no web browser, but a calculator? Hell yeah!
@JJ_Brum buying the calculator on Switch makes it so you can calculate how much the app is worth it on the console.
Picturing people trying to hide a massive Switch while cheating on math tests
@misterflipnote
Your wish has been fulfilled!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnr2zNMcWqM&list=LL&index=27
Come on Nintendo Life, join the fun...
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