Last month, Nintendo only published one game for the Nintendo Switch Online – Wario Land 4. That turns out to be the first time that's happened since last August. Now, only a few days into March, they've already doubled their output, giving us not one, but two games in a single day. That's right, subscribers now have access to both 1994's Donkey Kong and the puzzle game Mario's Picross. Yeah, that's cool news, but are either of these games actually worth playing? To answer that question, I decided to flip through the pages of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Computer & Video Games, Nintendo Power and more classic magazines that reviewed these games when they first came out. I sure hope you like smashing barrels and chiseling rocks, because this is another puzzling episode of Nintendo Switch Online Review Crew!


From Yoshi to Pokémon to cute little Kirby, if Nintendo had a puzzle game to sell, then they were going to hedge their bets by forcing one of their beloved characters into the package. Nobody was off limits, especially Mario, who ended up headlining all kinds of simple puzzlers throughout the years, including the game we're going to talk about today – Mario's Picross. This is a collection of 256 nonogram puzzles that see the player using their deduction skills to chisel away at blocks in order to create a very simple picture. While this style of puzzle game is popular now, this first try sold so poorly in America and Europe that Nintendo chose not to release any of the sequels until twelve years later. And it wasn't just consumers who were mixed on Mario's Picross, because the critics were also all over the board.

If you don't believe me, then check out what Electronic Gaming Monthly said in their 70th issue. Fake ninja Sushi-X gave the game a 4, arguing that he likes puzzle games and generally think they're even better on a portable. “However, this game was just too boring. Chiseling away numbers on the top and side make it seem like a math test instead of a game. It may be good for educational reasons, but it sure is bland to play.” Al, on the other hand, gave the game a 6, the highest score EGM could muster: “Puzzle games are usually very successful on Nintendo systems, and Mario's Picross is no different. But I must warn you: This title depends heavily on logic and reasoning. If you want something in the vein of Kirby's Avalanche or Dr. Mario, you're not gonna get it here. Anyhow, the game is still decent if you have the patience for it. It's a pretty cool game with the first few puzzles, but it kinda fizzled out and bored me toward the end. It's still worth a try.” EGM gave Mario's Picross an average score of 5.1 out of 10.

As it turns out, this is the lowest score of any magazine, but don't get too excited, as this game continues to be divisive. Nintendo Power, for example, gave the game a so-so 3.3 out of 5, much lower than the rest of the mascot puzzlers. Video Games: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine (their boast, not mine) ended up liking the game a bit more, going with a straight 7 out of 10. Game Informer liked it a bit more than that, going all the way up to an average of 7.25 out of 10, with Rick, the Video Ranger, calling it “the perfect game to keep yourself occupied during a long car or plane ride. A good addition to almost anyone's Game Boy collection.” Reiner, the Raging Gamer, agreed, concluding that “this game can be easily described in just two words – good and addicting. If you're into puzzle games and are looking for something new, here's your game!”

And that brings us to the magazines that went above and beyond by actually recommending Mario's Picross. I'm talking about GamePro, who enjoyed the puzzle game enough to give it 4 out of 5. Computer & Video Games, on the other hand, went all the way up to, get this, a 96%, easily the highest score I could find. “It's nice to see a Game Boy puzzle game that isn't a Tetris clone, and it's even nice to see one this addictive, original and rock hard. In Picross, it pays to take your time and look for logical clues, as opposed to the thinking on your feet of most puzzlers. There's always a way out of every fix, but finding it isn't always obvious. Basically, this is the best game of its ilk currently available, and let's hope it gets converted to every other format in the world. Completely and utterly ace.”

With scores ranging from 51% to 96%, it feels like the critics were more split on Mario's Picross than other Nintendo puzzle games. But is that true? Despite the EGM and CVG tug-a-war, the game ends up averages an overall 73%, which is in line with 72% and 74% we saw from the Game Boy and NES versions of Dr. Mario. I say, give Mario Picross a shot. The critics didn't get it at the time, but it holds up a lot better than most of the puzzle games released on the monochromatic handheld. I recommend it.

I won't blame you for missing out on the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong when it was first released in 1994. Based on the unassuming box art and vague name, you'll be forgiven for thinking that this was little more than a port of Nintendo's 1981 arcade game. The Game Boy was basically an afterthought in 1994, so it wouldn't surprise anybody to see another lazy port hit the five-year-old handheld. But that's not what Donkey Kong '94 is. Sure, it starts out just like the influential arcade game, but there's a point where it makes a hard shift into something new and exciting. It's at that very moment when this ambiguously titled Donkey Kong game goes from being fun to being one of the best Game Boy games of all time. Great on both the clunky handheld system or the Super Game Boy, where it's somewhat colorized, this is one of the most surprising games Nintendo released for the system. And now a whole new generation will have a chance to be surprised by its legendary twist. Let's go ahead and see if the critics were as won over by the confusingly named Donkey Kong as I was.

When Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewed the game in their 61st issue, they gave it an average score of 8.25 out of 10, enough to make it their Game of the Month. A very nostalgic Ed liked it the most, giving it a 9 and saying, “Boy, this sure brings back memories. All the fun of the arcade is here, plus a whole lot more. Donkey Kong has more features, including a save function, cool new cinemas, never-before-seen levels, and color using the Super Game Boy. I can't stress enough how good this game is. On the plain old Game Boy, it's OK. But on the TV, it really rocks! I'm buying a Super Game Boy just for this remake of the old classic.” Notorious Game Boy-hater Sushi-X also liked the game, which surprises him enough to talk in the third person: “Good old Sushi has flipped his lid! I actually enjoyed a Game Boy cart. True, I played it on Super Game Boy in color, but the tried-and-true Donkey Kong plays great on the portable. The levels and even the sounds were faithfully reproduced. As for the graphics, I couldn't believe how close it looks. I highly suggest this cart. I still can't believe I like a Game Boy cart, but then again, it wasn't on a green screen.”

Believe it or not, that Game of the Month score over at EGM is just about the lowest score you're going to see today. In fact, the only grade lower comes from Game Informer, who gave Donkey Kong a solid 8 out of 10. Nintendo Power went higher, giving it a 4.3 out of 5, which not only makes it the top-scoring Game Boy game of the year, but the fifth highest-scoring game overall. The extremely boastful Video Games: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine also liked the game, giving it a 9 out of 10. “There are over 100 screens to deal with; to get past some of them takes major dexterity and luck. The first couple of screens may look familiar from the old days, but there are dozens of new screens and tricks that you've never seen Mario do before. For example, you can jump through certain ceilings and jump super high. This game is addictive and fun. Play it for a little while and you'll be hooked. On the Super Game Boy, it's a masterpiece; it just looks and sounds great. For Donkey Kong fans old and new, this is a must-have.”

What? That's not high enough for you? Don't worry, we've got you covered, because Game Players ended up giving this revamped version of Donkey Kong a stellar score of 93%. Of course, the highest score comes to us from none other than GamePro magazine, which gave the game a perfect 5 out of 5. “Both games in this cart are enjoyable and entertaining. Older gamers will shed a tear when they remember the first quarter they ever spent on Donkey Kong. Other players will develop a certain simian savoir-faire that will get them through this game. Kong is still king!”

Look at GamePro, pulling out the French. I thought this was a kids magazine? Hey, they can use whatever words they want, because they're right, Donkey Kong is indeed great. It's an absolute treasure, and I'm not even a little surprised to see it average a score of 88% from the critics. No matter if you missed out on the game the first time around or are a longtime fan, definitely give Donkey Kong a play on the Switch.