How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 75 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 61 | 17 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (20)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“If you’ve never played Sam & Max Save the World, this remaster is certainly worth investigating. It’s kind of clever, kind of funny, and appropriately priced. It doesn’t warrant a second playthrough, but few adventure games ever do.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This six-episode compilation remains just as entertaining as it ever was, and the new remaster means it feels far more stable than before. It's not the truly jaw-dropping complete makeover some may have been hoping for, but the former Telltale staff behind this remaster have clearly decided that they shouldn't fix what wasn't broken. Except the broken bits. But they've been fixed.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Sam & Max Save the World is notable for starting Telltale's reign over episodic games that lasted for nearly a decade. Upon a revisit, it's easy to understand why. The writing oozes in charm and wit, and solving some of the trickier puzzles requires quite a bit of detective-work. While a few quality-of-life upgrades introduced in later Telltale Games would have been appreciated, the visual enhancements are still welcome. Hopefully, Skunkape Games remasters the other two seasons of Sam & Max, as well, because this is a case that deserves to be revisited for years to come.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“While the gameplay of Sam & Max Save the World might not hold up incredibly well almost 15 years later, the cartoon visuals still do, especially in their remastered form. There’s also no denying that the humor is still incredibly effective. Still, playing the game on Switch is likely to leave you longing for a mouse as the experience just isn’t great on a controller. Anyone looking for a strong dose of comedy with their adventure is likely to find it here, but it would have been nice to see the remaster do a little more heavy lifting.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Sam & Max Save the World is a hilarious game that moves effortlessly between surreal screwball comedy, buddy cop sitcom, and sharp satire of American society. That’s reason enough for the new lease on life that comes with a remaster and a Switch release, but as one of Telltale’s formative works, it’s also an important part of videogame history that was at risk of being lost forever.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Sam & Max Save the World Remastered is a perfect fit on the Nintendo Switch. The investment made in improving the game's audiovisual environment is worth of praise and brings this game up to today's tastes, making it something to be embraced by both veterans and new players alike. With its devilishly funny dialogues and a gameplay that can be easily handled in this new format that presents the game in one go, rather than the original's episodic delivery, Sam & Max Save the World Remastered is a marvel for everyone.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Sam and Max return on Nintendo Switch and PC, with a well done remaster.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Sam & Max Save the World Remastered is more than just a nostalgia play. The season has held up well and still has plenty of great jokes and clever puzzles that have held up well over time. Even if the overarching plot is weak, and some jokes don't hit, the titular duo is still a delight, and the smart puzzles are even more enjoyable to solve now that the controls have been improved. This is the definitive version of one of Telltale's strong early efforts--hopefully Sam & Max Seasons 2 and 3 will receive similar treatment in the future.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bar a few niggly control issues, this is a great port of the game. Quirky humour, a lovely soundtrack and a story that keeps you engaged. It’s a little on the easy side, but with six episodes you do get your money’s worth. ”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Sam and Max Save the World Remastered is pretty much what you’d expect, a modern update to a much-loved classic. As much as I love stepping back into the chaotic shoes of Sam and Max, I’m left a little disappointed by the fuzziness in handheld mode and the slightly confused script revisions. That said, the game is still one of the funniest point-and-click adventures I’ve had the pleasure of playing. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Seeing the work that’s been done to the first season of Sam and Max has me really hoping that Skunkape continues on to do the next two seasons, as I really do think that there’s a ton of potential there. Even if they don’t, Sam and Max Save The World Remastered is a fantastic reminder of the fun of the point-and-click genre and how beloved the titular duo really are.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Sam and Max Save The World brings the crime-solving duo back for a modern audience and its new lick of paint is very welcome. Annoying flaws are a shame, but it will have you laughing as you go.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nintendo Life
Cubed3
NintendoWorldReport
Starbit
Eurogamer
GameSpot
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis
Nintendo Insider
Switch Player…and 8 more tracked reviews.