Bayonetta
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Rating Summary
Based on 41 critic reviews
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Score Distribution
Unscored Reviews
Bayonetta is a distinctive, sometimes-fun hack 'n' slash game with a bonkers story and interesting visual aesthetics. The core fighting mechanics of the game are excellent, but they're let down by a suspect camera and some clunk choreographing. It's also padded out with many less-good filler sections and a lot of tedious cutscenes, and these are ultimately what's putting me off giving it a whole-hearted recommendation.
Top Critic
Bayonetta gets a welcome reissue on Switch. The game's fluid gameplay and tough as nails difficulty remain firmly intact. There's a nice nod to the ecosystem the game now finds itself on with some cool costumes based on Nintendo royalty. Otherwise, it's the same game as before. The graphics may not have been improved but with the game only being eight years old, they hold up quite well. The framerate allows for some super smooth action in both docked and handheld mode. If you're a fan of hack-and-slash games then this is a must-buy. If you have even a passing interest in the genre then you should seriously consider adding it to your collection, just be prepared to take some deep breaths and try again.
Scored Reviews
Top Critic
Bayonetta on PC is without a doubt the definitive way to play this game. Most gaming PCs will run it with great performance, and whether it's your first foray into this world or your tenth, it's an adventure worth taking again.
Even after all these years, the original Bayonetta never fails to impress. It is stylish and sexy with a deep combo system for you to master. There’s so much to unlock giving you plenty of reason to go back, and the music is harder to get out of your head than putting a Rowntree’s Fruit Pastille in your mouth without chewing it. Needless to say, if you have never played the original Bayonetta, then what are you waiting for? For those who have, well, you probably already know how awesome the game is. So, again, what the hell are you waiting for?
Top Critic
A great port of what is still one of the best action games around. Bayonetta is the essential hack-'n-slash.
Top Critic
Bayonetta didn't disappoint in the past and certainly hasn't with its arrival to PC. Despite its port-specific issues, it doesn't fail to bring back the experience it's renowned for seven years ago.
Top Critic
The witches are back, and they're tougher and sexier than ever! Bayonetta is the most iconic title developed by PlatinumGames, something that every gamer (PC gamers too, finally!) should have in their collection.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Top Critic
Even after seven years, Bayonetta is still one of the best action games you can get. And if you haven't played it yet (or just want to re-visit it) the pc version is by far the best choice, with 60 frames per second.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
Top Critic
Even if its story falls into many amnesia tropes and the graphics are a bit dated, the innovative and enthralling gameplay coupled with its over-the-top-nature make Bayonetta a wild ride that you won’t ever want to get off. Sega has mentioned that they want to do more PC ports in the future and, if they are done as well as Bayonetta, I can’t wait to see what they bring over next.
Top Critic
Even after four years, Bayonetta's frantic action, relentless combos and spectacular antics remain a solid playable wonder which no Wii U should go without. The additional Nintendo-related bonuses only make this version ever more desirable and an even bigger reason to jump into this gem.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Top Critic
Bayonetta is now on PC, and the new platform is the best place to experience (or re-experience) this classic action game. This port is the quintessential version of the game, delivering brilliant gameplay and excellent PC performance.
Top Critic
Still one of the best third person actioners of all-time, and although the Wii U version changes very little the classic gameplay still shines through.
Top Critic
Eight years after its first appearance on PS3 and Xbox 360, the wild and exuberant Bayonetta lands on Nintendo Switch, and it hasn't lost a bit of its sexy charm. This new release can be appreciated wherever you want, with a solid and granitic 60 fps, and a better visual experience on the go.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Top Critic
While it'll be easy to overlook this in favor of the sequel, in doing so you'd not only be doing a disservice to the game, but a disservice to yourself.
Top Critic
Daring, challenging and balls to the wall outrageous, Bayonetta on WiiU delivers the definitive action extravaganza. Despite a few obnoxious quick time events and one tedious level, Bayonetta still holds up today as it did years ago when it first debut. Even its contemporaries like Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge or DmC: Devil May Cry which came out years after and had the opportunity to improve on what Bayonetta had established, but failed. Bayonetta stands tall and casts a huge shadow on the competition as one of the greatest action games of all time. With such demanding action, it can almost be physically exhausting to keep up with the game and how the few fleeting moments of peace can feel so generous. It is almost unfair how competent and skilled Platinum Games are at developing action games like this. They have set the standard so high, that they ruin other seemingly good action games and make them look quaint.
Top Critic
Even if all of the platform-specific flourishes weren't there, Bayonetta would remain a superb action title. The familiar story is buoyed by the absurd cut scenes, the action amplifies that ridiculousness, and the gameplay is still considered tight after the introduction of numerous fast action games in recent years. It's also a lengthy title by today's standards, and the constant grading of every fight will get perfectionists going. The PC version enhances everything and makes this the definitive version of the title, as long as you don't mind losing the Nintendo-themed costumes from the Wii U version. Unless you hate fast action games, you absolutely have to pick up Bayonetta.
Almost ten years on, Nintendo have put out the definitive version of Bayonetta, making one of the greatest action adventures of all time even better.
A fantastic and unique game of a witch fighting against the forces of Heaven. It has so much style that it easily entertains people. Great gameplay, great character and enemy designs.
PC version of Bayonetta can offer you the same enjoyment as it did all those years ago. Now in prettier graphics.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Top Critic
Bayonetta remains just as good as it was in 2010, if not better thanks to a fantastic port job at a competitive price point.
Top Critic
Eight years after its original release, Bayonetta has still great controls and combo system, and we love the references to classic Sega games such as Space Harrier or Hang On. Soundtrack is also great, but visuals are a bit outdated and the camera system fails sometimes.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
An incredible game in which you will find a great history and a fantastic gameplay that you will never forget.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Top Critic
Bayonetta is one of the best stylish action game ever, probably the best one. It's good to play it again on Nintendo Switch.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Top Critic
Bayonetta on the Switch is a fantastic port for handheld mode but there's not much improved for TV gamers aside from load times.
Top Critic
Brilliantly staged over the top fights, which should inspire every action fan - even on Nintendo Switch.
Review in German | Read full review
Top Critic
The first Bayonetta is one of the best stylish action game ever. Similar to the Wii U version, this new edition is smoother than the previous one. It is the last call to play with the sexy witch witch before the arrival of next chapter.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Top Critic
One of the best action game ever made, reborn thanks to the hybrid gameplay possibilities offered by Switch. This porting is capable of managing the complex combat system on a handheld console with a solid 60fps frame-rate, but to do so it has to force the global resolution to 720p, even while docked. If you never played the original game, you should definitely consider to buy it on Nintendo Switch and play along with the beautiful witch wherever you want.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Top Critic
A classic that now is becoming portable without losing anything on its way. Maybe we could have expected more improvements to take advantage of Switch's capabilities, but as it is is one of the best hack'n slash ever done.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Top Critic
The core of Bayonetta remains as solid and frustrating as it was when it first released. It lacks the polish, semi-coherent story, and rich color palette of its superior sequel, sure, but it's so masterfully designed and brazen in its direction that it's still a must play for every action game fanatic. While the Switch port may lack the exhaustive resolution and graphics options of the PC version, it's an absolute knock-out as a portable action game and further proof there seems to be very little the Switch is incapable of doing.
Top Critic
Fast and frantic, Bayonetta is still a quality action game. The visuals may have aged somewhat, and the difficulty may be hard as nails, but this is the definitive version of a game that feels strangely at home on a Nintendo console. A welcome refresher to the upcoming sequel, that deserves to be replayed for old times' sake.
Top Critic
The original Bayonetta may be almost ten years old but that doesn't mean that its gameplay is any less amazing or that its action loses any pace. This new Nintendo Switch version also brings the advantage of mobility, as well as some performance improvements, which contribute to make it an almost perfect experience, despite the lack of new content.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Top Critic
If it's not a port that changes a thing, it's still a pleasure to be able to play Bayonetta anywhere, anytime, as it's one of the best beat them all of all time. Not a flawless one, but indeed a lovable one.
Review in French | Read full review
Top Critic
After almost a decade Bayonetta is starting to show her age, but that doesn't stop this hyperactive melee/shooter action mashup from being one of the most rewarding and memorable cult hits of the previous generation. Retooled for Nintendo Switch, one of Platinum Games' most accomplished titles feels revitalised in both handheld and tabletop modes, serving up a meaty first course in the full witchy buffet to come.
Top Critic
Bayonetta's distribution — as part of Bayonetta 2's release in various packages or as an eShop download — makes it a must have for action fans intent on jumping into the newer entry. It lays important groundwork with the lore and story, while also giving us a look at the gameplay foundations that have been further refined in the sequel. In its own right it's a cocky, self-assured and bombastic video game, yet maintains a sense of irreverence and fantastical fun nevertheless.
Top Critic
Bayonetta on the Nintendo Switch is a very fun experience on this console and it feels like a bad 70's action movie and the story, characters and quirkiness of the gameplay is pure ingenious.
Top Critic
It feels like a dream seeing Bayonetta on PC, and thankfully, it's no nightmare.
Top Critic
Never mind the extras, Nintendo-only goodies, or even the, somewhat lame, and Switch-only, optional touch controls. The only important thing is that this great hack 'n' slasher called Bayonetta can now be experienced everywhere, and with next to no sacrifices in terms of visual quality, making this the best console port of this title so far.
Top Critic
The original Bayonetta remains the crazy, unique action title from a few years ago. There are newly added controls and some Nintendo related costumes, but the same content is still here in full force. That in turn makes the presentation somewhat dated and there are framerate drops throughout the game. Also the game can be relentless when it wants to be and outrageous when the plot allows it to. That chaos will not serve all players well, but those who stick with it will have a brilliant time.
"Witch hunt is a thing again."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Considering that this game came out in 2009 for the PlayStation 3 originally, I wasn’t going to make that distant leap to review what technically is a nine-year-old game. This game is older than most of the PSVG’s children, for goodness sakes. However, after being asked about it by PSVG’s Amanda and then snoring about halfway through my explanation, I felt that I had no choice but to release onto the masses about what it was like for me to experience Sega’s wonky adventure on the Switch platform.
