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) | – | 81 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 82 | 27 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 71 | 100 |
| 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 5h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (12)
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.
- 80
“The Wii U was filled with some absolutely wonderful releases, many of which were criminally underrated and missed out on by so many fans. Seeing them return on Switch is wonderful, and the on-the-go functionality of the system allows for even more ways to play. For its current low price, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker - Special Episode is well worth it. The initial description of recycled levels sounds a little off-putting, feeling that this could be a cheap, low-effort tack-on. It isn't. The new levels are filled with fantastic designs, while the remakes are complete overhauls, almost indistinguishable from their originals.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Special Episode not only adds more content and challenges to the original game, it brings a fantastic addition to the game that makes it an absolute charm to revisit. The high quality of this DLC is also more than enough to make everyone ask why doesn't Nintendo do this more often.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Special Episode is an additional package for those who enjoyed the adventures found in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. It may seem a short addendum, but with new levels, remixes, and a new co-op gameplay addition, it offers much more than meets the eye.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Its new challenges are a lot of fun, and they’re different enough from the original game that it doesn’t feel like you’re merely treading old ground. For the price of £5.39/$5.99, it’s well worth it if you enjoyed the base game.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Captain Toad Treasure Tracker Special Book DLC offers a lot of fun for only six euros. You get to play in co-op through 18 levels. The new levels offer variety and more challenges than the original game did. A definite must buy for everyone with the game.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The five new levels are excellent additions to the game’s collection of puzzle box dioramas, although they do nothing to change the formula. The remaining 13 challenges aren’t as worthwhile, and it wasn’t very fulfilling to trek back to remixed levels just to hunt Boos and collect crown shards. The inexpensive DLC is fairly priced, at least, even if you’re only interested in the novel areas. Just don’t go looking for a substantially game-changing experience, but rather a solid expansion of what made the original so great.”
read full review ↗ - 91
“It’s a great addition to a fun game and I like seeing this little port get continued support. Still it might be nice to see a full-fledged sequel if the team comes back with more ideas.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Special Episode delivers consistently fun and refreshing puzzle action. Aiming higher than the base game, this DLC stretches the Captain Toad mechanics and concepts in new ways, while also offering interesting new settings to explore. That said, the Special Episode’s reliance on remixed content from the base game and truncated runtime hold it back from being truly great. Nonetheless, this DLC offers an afternoon of colorful, creative single player or co-op entertainment.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“This expansion of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker for Nintendo Switch has a good length and difficulty. Clearing the numerous new challenges and finding all the gems and additional requirements offer hours of fun that make it worthwhile to buy this DLC.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“aptain Toad’s Special Episode is a worthwhile purchase for anyone that enjoyed the original Captain Toad campaign and is looking for more of the same. The two new game modes are welcome additions that work well to freshen up the experience, however if you were turned off by the simplicity of the base game, nothing in this DLC will change your mind. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Get ready for adventure again with this bite sized extra episode for our pint-sized rambler, great value at the price of a London pint.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Thanks to the light (but sometimes rather dazzling) cooperative help of Toadette and a few level design jewels, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker gets even more brillant with this DLC, somehow too episodically though. Its crown of puzzle-platformer king remains nevertheless absolutely deserved.”
read full review ↗
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