head to head
vs
EarthBoundvsPokémon Shield
EarthBound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Pokémon Shield leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
EarthBoundPokémon Shield
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
EarthBound leans harder on execution: Rolling HP meter has very mild timing implication
Reads0 vs 1
Pokémon Shield leans harder on reads: Gym trainers are scripted; ranked battling is a side pursuit
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 7
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.