Brendan Reilly
Gaming AgeDetective Pikachu Returns review for Nintendo Switch
Published 10/13/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
75
+9 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCritic Atlas
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Switch - 10/6/2023
Detective Pikachu Returns
Solve mysteries with the personality-packed Detective Pikachu! Unravel a series of mysteries across Ryme City with a tough-talking, coffee-loving Pikachu who calls himself a great detective. This Pikachu may have a self-assured attitude and talk like a middle-aged man, but he somehow manages to keep his lovable charm. Together with his partner Tim Goodman, this great detective duo cracks several cases with the help of the many Pokémon and people who live in Ryme City.
- Developer
- Creatures Inc.
- Publisher
- The Pokémon Company, Nintendo
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Critic average
66
Average of 28 scored external reviews.
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Whimsical / playful / lightheartedDefining · Curated baseline
Story / character-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Puzzle / logic-focusedDefining · Curated baseline
Strategic / planning-heavyStrongly · Curated baseline
Exploration-drivenStrongly · Curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureStrongly · Curated baseline
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityStrongly · Curated baseline
Systems / mechanics-drivenModerately · Curated baseline
Show 11 more descriptors
Side-content richModerately · Curated baseline
Serious / dark / groundedSlightly · Curated baseline
Highly replayableSlightly · Curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureSlightly · Curated baseline
Short / focusedSlightly · Curated baseline
Run-based / proceduralNot present · Curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavyNot present · Curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedNot present · Curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavyNot present · Curated baseline
Loot / progression-drivenNot present · Curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialNot present · Curated baseline
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidencePolarized
Critic avg
66
28 scored reviews
Total coverage
28
All coverage currently scored
Score range
50–90
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Polarized
Score range is 31+ points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 66 across 28 scored reviews, with a 40-point spread. Critics are far apart on this one.
How to read this
Treat the average carefully. A polarized landscape is where reviewer match, review text, and score deltas matter more than the headline number.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 70–79 band.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
28 included scored reviews
90–1001 review · 4%
80–891 review · 4%
70–7913 reviews · 46%
Below 7013 reviews · 46%
Showing 11-20 of 28 matching critic reviews. 28 total critic reviews. Page 2 of 3.
Jorge Ba-oh
Cubed3Detective Pikachu Returns (Nintendo Switch) Review
Published 10/12/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalUnknown reviewer
Checkpoint GamingDetective Pikachu Returns Review – A charming case - Checkpoint
Published 10/10/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJordan Biordi
CGMagazineDetective Pikachu Returns Review
Published 10/9/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPramath
GamingBoltDetective Pikachu Returns Review – It’s Pretty Effective
Published 10/9/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCharles Hartford
But Why Tho?Review: ‘Detective Pikachu Returns’ Manages To Deliver Some Charm (Switch)
Published 10/8/2023
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Scoring alignment
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Score
50
-16 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalSteven Impson
Press StartDetective Pikachu Returns Review – A Simple And Charming Detective Adventure
Published 10/5/2023
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Scoring alignment
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Score
70
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalMatt Gosper
StevivorDetective Pikachu Returns Review: Switch sleuthing
Published 10/5/2023
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Scoring alignment
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Score
60
-6 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalRollin Bishop
GamesRadar+Detective Pikachu Returns Review | GamesRadar+GamesRadar+GamesRadar+NewsaramaTotal FilmEdge
Published 10/4/2023
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Scoring alignment
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Score
60
-6 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalDetective Pikachu Returns Review
Published 10/4/2023
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
60
-6 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPlayer reviews
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