Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
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 (OpenCritic) | – | 79 | 17 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 75 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 93% | 87 | 550 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 77% | 72 | 3 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 7 reviews sampled · 8 total reviews in window · weighted 4.2 up / 1.2 down · computed 7h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (32)
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
“Blaster Master Zero is a lovely addition to the Switch's library.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Blaster Master Zero is a brief and faithful successor to Blaster Master. This may not be as hard as the NES game; it has modern conveniences like checkpoints and save files as it slavishly pays lip service to the classic. It does Sunsoft justice and perfectly captures that distinctive Sunsoft sound that they were known for in the NES generation.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Blaster Master Zero is the Blaster Master follow-up we've been waiting for since 1988. Is it a revolutionary game? Probably not. But it is a dang fine video game that completely (blaster) masters what it sets out to do. With an amazing progression, fun co-op multiplayer, and absolutely gorgeous retro style, Inti Creates has created a new classic and must-buy for the Nintendo Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Blaster Master Zero is just one more feather in the Switch's cap and one that sits nicely on the eShop at a very welcoming price point.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Blaster Master Zero hearkens back to a much older age in video gaming, but it does so with a certain loving care that does more than just rely on nostalgia. In truth, the original Blaster Master on the NES always felt somewhat ahead of its time when I played it, mixing genres a little and providing some outstanding platforming and action thrills. Blaster Master Zero is a really strong release title for the Switch and should readily appeal to fans of the older games.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Blaster Master Zero is what a nostalgic game update should be. It isn't bogged down in the past, and it doesn't lose what makes the original game so memorable and fun. It's not quite a masterpiece, but it's a ton of fun to play. Whether you're getting a new upgrade or battling a brutal mutant, it's a well-paced and enjoyable experience. Fans of the franchise should be delighted, and those who have never played the original Blaster Master will find Zero a much better place to start.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Structurally, Blaster Master Zero is a significant step forward for the franchise, but provided you are actively avoiding getting hit, the game is just too easy. Mildly more interesting when driving around in a tank than gunning down mutants on foot, it’s probably a great entry point to the series for more inexperienced gamers. It’s just a shame that this reintroduction doesn’t provide much of a challenge.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Blaster Master Zero is everything a remake should be: it brings the original up to today's standards while fully respecting its contents and directions. This is a game that's easily recommended to not just 8-bit enthusiasts but to everyone who enjoys the Metroidvania style, as all the aspects of the original have been upgraded to satisfy today's audience while keeping the main assets of the original in force.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A welcome return for one of the forgotten masters of Metroidvania, and an excellent example of how to remaster a retro classic.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Blaster Master Zero is one hell of a retro remake that hits all the points of the original flawlessly but brings it to the modern era. It general, it's a near perfect experience and a "blast" to play. You will be hard pressed to get a better retro remake that not only respects the original game but improves on it instead of just repeating it. This is a must buy for anyone with a Nintendo Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Blaster Master Zero unquestionably isn’t the finest of the modern retro games, but it is still a blast to play through. If you’re harkening for a smaller game that isn’t going to break the bank then you can certainly do a lot worse than this.”
read full review ↗ - 75
Nintendo Life
Cubed3
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
Chalgyr's Game Room
Worth Playing
TheSixthAxis
FNintendo
Metro GameCentral
Niche Gamer
Nintendo Insider
Dragnix…and 20 more tracked reviews.