EDGE scores Nintendo holiday titles

EDGE magazine’s Christmas 2026 issue (#430) assigned review scores to Nintendo-related titles, with Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve receiving a score of 8. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse received a 7, while Final Fantasy Resonance and Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival each scored a 6, and End of Abyss received a 5.

EDGE praised Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve as a polished update that leverages decades of iteration to deliver high-speed gameplay.

This strong reception contrasts with the lower scores for horror and action titles in the same issue, signaling divergent market expectations for Nintendo‘s 2026 slate. EDGE gave Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival a 6, commending its horror elements but criticizing its failure to sustain intensity or balance action with discomfort. EDGE noted that while the game succeeds in its horror adaptation, it struggles to maintain the tension or thematic cohesion of its source material.

Meanwhile, End of Abyss scored a 5, marking it as one of the lowest-rated Nintendo titles in the holiday lineup, and EDGE assigned Final Fantasy Resonance a 6, criticizing the game for lacking a convincing narrative throughline and relying on nostalgic echoes rather than innovation. EDGE suggested that the game’s struggles stem from its attempt to revive classic Final Fantasy elements without delivering fresh storytelling or gameplay depth.

EDGE gave Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse a 7, praising its format and flavor but criticizing unresolved mysteries and persistent issues. EDGE acknowledged the game’s strengths in design and atmosphere but noted lingering flaws that prevent it from achieving full critical acclaim.

EDGE scored Minecraft Dungeons 2 a 5, indicating a lackluster reception for the sequel.

The Christmas 2026 issue includes reviews for Switch-compatible titles, underscoring the continued relevance of Nintendo hardware. The inclusion of Switch titles in the review highlights the platform’s enduring appeal, though specific market impact is not detailed in the sources.

EDGE gave Gears of War: E-Day, developed by The Coalition, an 8, describing it as a successful revival of the series after a long hiatus. EDGE also scored Planet Zoo 2 an 8, praising its attention to detail and accessibility for new players. EDGE gave Order of the Sinking Star and Star Wars: Galactic Racer each a 9, describing Order of the Sinking Star as a deeply immersive experience that lingers in the player’s mind and Star Wars: Galactic Racer as an intense, immersive racing experience despite occasional setbacks.

EDGE gave Silver Pines a 7, describing it as a game that runs on borrowed atmosphere but executes its mechanics with skill. On the lower end of the critical spectrum, EDGE scored Valor Mortis a 6, criticizing its uneven translation of Soulslike mechanics (games built around difficult, punishing combat) and underdeveloped narrative.

EDGE also gave Penguin Colony a 6, with no critiques provided in the sources. The variety of scores, ranging from 5 to 9, reflects the varied critical reception in the issue.

EDGE magazine’s long-standing reputation for critical reviews and numeric scores that influence player and industry perceptions gives these scores added weight within the industry. The Christmas 2026 issue (#430) marks a significant release for Nintendo, as it includes reviews for titles released during the holiday season, a critical period for sales and market trends, making its assessments a key benchmark for understanding market trends and player expectations.