Game Builder Garage Reviews

Game Builder Garage is ranked in the 67th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10
Jun 10, 2021

Behind the humorous, colorful atmosphere, Game Builder Garage proves a real creation environment, with a phenomenally intuitive interface and a clever didactic approach to such a huge amount of possibilities, using almost every function of the system. But Nintendo also made delicate compromises between simplicity and ambition through technical or sharing limitations, hence production will heavily rely on Nodon game designers' efforts.

Review in French | Read full review

Unscored
Jun 10, 2021

I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving Game Builder Garage a score or full evaluation until I’ve made a game of my own that I consider to be complete and finished, but I’m still far from having any clue what that actually means. One of my personal goals is to make a multiplayer party game that my friends will legitimately enjoy, but I still need to come up with a concept and plan out its design, let alone start building it to see if it’ll all come together. How do I put a timeframe on that, when the very first step is reliant on creativity and inspiration? And then, how much time will I need for coding, testing, bug fixing, focus testing, and so on?

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GameXplain
GameXplain
Top Critic
Liked
Jun 10, 2021
Game Builder Garage is Impressive, but Not Perfect - REVIEW (Switch) video thumbnail
Jordan Minor
Top Critic
Jun 10, 2021

Game Builder Garage is a tremendously powerful and accessible piece of game development software that gives you the tools and guidance to make video games with ease.

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8.3 / 10.0
Jun 10, 2021

Game Builder Garage is a courageous experiment that deserves the attention of those who are not content to stay on the surface of the video game medium. The experience is presented on the first as less captivating than titles such as Super Mario Maker, but the satisfaction that is obtained by entering the Bianconiglio lair and discovering the secrets of programming is priceless. We're curious to find out how the Game Builder Garage community will evolve, and we'll be interested in trying out the creations of grass developers from all over the world.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Unscored
Jun 10, 2021

The game excels at giving people a small taste of programming, but the game’s pupils will have to seek unabridged coding lessons elsewhere. It’s hard to give the game a final score in its current form, because what people design in free programming and post online will ultimately add to the game’s potential.

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7.5 / 10.0
Jun 18, 2021

Realistically, adults who want to program are just going to go learn an actual programming language and/or pick up a tool like GameMaker. But for impressionable preteen children, which arguably seems to be the prime demographic for this software, Game Builder Garage on Nintendo Switch can provide a comprehensive and accessible introduction to programming, despite a few glaring oversights. However, not just anyone is going to instantly click with and love this game. It takes time, determination, and raw passion to get the most out of Game Builder Garage. But maybe that's a good thing.

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Jake Su
Top Critic
4 / 5.0
Jun 28, 2021

As a first step into game development, Game Builder Garage represents a fun and engaging way of dipping your toes. It is not overly convoluted, and is approachable when it comes to creating polished experiences with a little bit of work. The software educates, guides, and makes the creator’s enjoyment a key part of the process. If only Nintendo would fix the online and community gaps, then it will truly be a playground of creativity.

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Jun 24, 2021

Game Builder Garage is an excellent choice for any gamers who are fascinated by the video game designing process but have little experience with how it all works. Its simplicity and cutesy approachability make it the best entry point for those with no experience, and a great learning tool for kids in particular. Without the ability to share creations or more complex design features, Game Builder Garage probably won't hold anyone's attention for long, but it fills a niche well and accomplishes all the major goals it sets out to with its presentation.

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7 / 10
Jun 20, 2021

Game Builder Garage makes programming fun, with easy-to-follow tutorials and plenty of in-game resources to help you if you get lost. It’s easy on the eyes too, although a lack of visual customisation options was disappointing to see. With so many things it does right, it’s astounding that Nintendo would shoot themselves in their own foot so badly by not including any in-game search function. It may find an audience with some budding game designers, but it’s unlikely to become the phenomenon it could have been.

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Spaziogames
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Jun 10, 2021

If you would like to create your own video games, this is key that may open that door.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jun 10, 2021

Nintendo’s best development toolkit to date, with a gamified process that makes creating enjoyable, even if the curation tools are sub-par.

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Jun 11, 2021

Game Builder Garage might be pitched at a younger audience - and I can genuinely see Nintendo selling a bunch of Switches to schools for use in the younger grades as an introduction to the all-important education space - but the systematic clarity with which the tutorials of Game Builder Garage are arranged, and then the ease of use and accessibility of the software to play around with afterwards, makes it the best introduction to programming that I've come across, for anyone of any age.

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8 / 10.0
Jul 8, 2021

Game Builder Garage is a decently realized editor, which unexpectedly lacks one function, but even in this situation, the production can awaken dreams.

Review in Polish | Read full review

Unscored
Jun 28, 2021

If you want to make your own games and share it indirectly, or if you want to experience the productions made by others, it will be a good choice.

Review in Turkish | Read full review

Nintendo News
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Jun 14, 2021

While it may not reach the lofty creative heights of Dreams on PlayStation 4, or match the accessibility of the Super Mario Maker franchise, Game Builder Garage offers the tools to help realise some of your dream gaming creations. If you’re not a creative type and don’t care much about programming, I would avoid stepping into this Garage. However, if you do decide to peek inside out of curiosity and you’re happy with some deep learning, you’ll have everyone else’s creations to experience, and it’s just a matter of time to see what the online community will come up with.

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8 / 10.0
Nov 9, 2021

Learn how to create your own games. It is really fun and informative.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Jun 10, 2021

As a learning tool, Game Builder Garage provides an easy-to-follow experience that makes learning the basics of game programming fun. With that in mind, there are definitely more comprehensive and robust ways to create games on console.

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Liked-a-lot
Jun 18, 2021

Game Builder Garage is a unique title for anyone that wants to create a game with no prior programming knowledge. Whether you’re old or young this game provides lots of tools to let your creative juices flow. A wonderful experience to share with a family or loved one. Whether you’re a brand new budding game developer or you just want to have fun creating games, Game Builder Garage is a great way to express yourself.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jun 22, 2021

Once again, Nintendo shows they have the magic touch with a unique experience that is very outside the box thinking. With the help of seven very complete interactive lessons, learn the basics of being a programmer with a simplified approach that eases us into the complexity behind making video games.

Review in French | Read full review