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) | – | 75 | 88 |
| Creator reviews (3 tracked) | – | 80 | 3 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 97% | 93 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 78 | 112 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 97% | 93 | 3000 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 91.9, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 9,950 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Nov 11, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 3274 total reviews in window · weighted 252.6 up / 2.6 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (97)
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
“Bugsnax is a very interesting title, but it can only surprised you and delighted in the final. It may seem to you that this is only made for children, but don't let it fool you, because the older ones will enjoy the play.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The game noticeably stumbles as it attempts to more overtly address the darkness beneath its concept.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Bugsnax is a game that is brimming with potential, but struggles in actual execution. Capturing hundreds of adorable snack-themed creatures sounds like such a great idea, but the lack of memorable characters, a frustrating control scheme, repetitive gameplay and numerous technical and design problems, particularly on Switch, makes for a somewhat lukewarm experience. There is certainly fun to be had here, but once you've played for a few hours, the magic fades and you're left with a disappointing game that doesn't live up to expectations.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“The story does hint at further DLC to come, you can unlock something called “The Triplicate area” that answers a few questions left from the game’s cryptic ending while setting up more buglore. But, if this DLC is anything to go by, that adventure too might not be as filling as we’d like.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“As long-time followers of mine will undoubtedly know, I'm a lover of games that qualify as being weird...”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The environments, characters, soundtrack, and Bugsnax themselves all tie together in a legitimately funny and charming way. And while you’re here, yes the best Bugsnax is the Snaquiri, thanks for asking.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bugsnax delivers a good time regardless of platform, but it excels on PS5. It benefits from much shorter loading sequences, improved performance, and the DualSense's unique features. All this makes for a more enjoyable excursion to Snaktooth Island. If you play Bugsnax at all, and you absolutely should, do it on PS5.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“In lieu of what many community theories predicted is a cute and casual adventuring experience with an adorkable cast of Grumpuses and Bugsnax. But all that being said, Bugsnax isn't without its tricks.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bugsnax is a charming and creative game that can goes beyond its meme status by respecting the player's intelligence with fun mechanics and an interesting plot. The game makes you think outside the box and let's you have fun catching weird animals. I hope that after its release, everyone starts talkin' 'bout Bugsnax”
read full review ↗ - 85
“This is a wild and weird game that is a welcome addition to the Switch library. There is nothing else out there quite like Bugsnax and while the Switch version is not the best performing version, folks with only the Nintendo console or a desire for portable play shouldn't have too much to complain about if they decide to journey to Snaktooth Island.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bugsnax is a feel-good adventure with a lovable cast, a rich variety of tasty prey to hunt, but thoroughly unremarkable gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bugsnax is the surprise of 2020. It looked like a cute game for children and has transcended into a work of art. The game has a lot to say about loss, depression and the human mind while able to blend with a hilarious Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs style premise. While this game may not be for everyone, it is a solid second entry for Young Horses and I for one cannot wait to see what they do next.”
read full review ↗
INDIANTVCZ
Slant Magazine
Nintendo Life
Paste Magazine
Nindie Spotlight
Prima Games
Push Square
PC Invasion
LevelUp
NintendoWorldReport
GameWatcher
Novastream…and 85 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Update 2.070617 (06/24/2026)Jun 24, 2026
- Update 2.070602 (06/09/2026)Jun 9, 2026
- Update 2.0.70474Feb 3, 2025
- Update 2.070452 (12/17/2024)Dec 17, 2024
- Update 2.0.70438 (12/02/2024)Dec 2, 2024
- Update 2.0.70436 (11/23/2024)Nov 24, 2024
- Update 2.0.70430 (11/20/2024)Nov 21, 2024
- Update 2.0.70428 (11/19/2024)Nov 19, 2024
- Update 2.0.70367 (11/14/2024)Nov 15, 2024
- Announcing Free Bugsnax VR Update & Sale!Nov 12, 2024
- Update 2.0.7033X (11/11/2024)Nov 11, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Update 2.0.65949 (10/5/2022)Oct 5, 2022
- Update 2.0.65788 (9/19/2022)Sep 19, 2022
- Update 2.0.64758 (6/2/2022)Jun 2, 2022
- Update 2.0.64716 (5/31/2022)May 31, 2022
- Update 2.0.64623 (5/23/2022)May 23, 2022
- Update 2.0.64570 (5/16/2021)May 16, 2022
- Update 2.0.64550 (5/9/2022)May 10, 2022
- macOS Update 2.0.64540 (5/9/2022)May 9, 2022
- Update 2.0.64517 (5/6/2022)May 6, 2022
- Update 2.0.64510 (5/5/2022)May 5, 2022
- Update 2.0.64483 (5/3/2022)May 3, 2022
- Update 2.0.64460May 3, 2022
- Update 2.0.64441 (5/2/2022)May 2, 2022
- Update 2.0.64433 (5/1/2022)May 1, 2022
- Update for 4/30Apr 30, 2022