ARMS

Genre: 3D Fighting Game

Players: 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2 Competitive (Online)

The Nintendo Switch 2 Difference

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Review:

ARMS is a unique 3D Fighting game in that very Nintendo-esque way of doing things unique. Much in the same way that Nintendo can’t simply do a normal Team-based Shooter, they have to do Splatoon with its unique paintball approach to the genre, and they can’t do a normal 2D Fighter, they have to combine it with a Platformer to make Super Smash Bros., so too do they completely rethink how 3D Fighting games work with ARMS, which has players jumping and dodging around an arena and trying to pound each other using spring-like arms.

The presentation in this game is phenomenal, with smooth framerates and great resolution, running at a stable 60FPS even in 2-player split-screen, dropping down to a still-respectable 30FPS if you add more players to the mix, and running in 1080p docked in single-player, 900p when you have more than one player playing. All the numbers aside, suffice it to say that no matter how you play the game, it runs smooth and looks amazing.

This is in part due to having some really unique, detailed, and expressive character models, fighting in some nice-looking arenas, all with a unique look that feels much like a computer-animated Disney film (the design style reminds me a lot of Big Hero Six). The characters’ titular arms themselves are really well-done, looking like coiled ribbons, lengths of chain, spirals of ramen and so forth, stretching out nicely as you punch. The imagination that went into the design of these characters is simply phenomenal, and while it’s going to produce something that’s patently very silly, I think this is one of the best-looking games on the Switch that no one talks about. This is paired with a great soundtrack, a decent announcer, and nice cartoony sound effects that work perfectly for the game – this game absolutely nails the presentation.

As for the gameplay itself, wow is this game unique. While it’s definitely still a Fighting game, exactly where it fits in that genre is a mix of all sorts of different elements. There’s a freedom of movement that’s similar to a typical 3D Fighting game, but with left-right punch mechanics and a fixation on the opponent that’s more reminiscent of a Boxing game. Plus, the fact that the game’s attacks all work at long range make this at times feel like a Third-Person Shooter, almost? Yeah, it’s difficult to describe – like I said, there’s nothing else like this out there.

However you’d describe it though, it feels absolutely great to play, once you get used to it. Unlike a typical fighting game with a wide range of moves, your move set here is fairly limited: left punch, right punch, grab/throw, block, jump, dodge, charge left punch, charge right punch, special move. Players have a little control over how a punch hooks after sending it out, but otherwise that’s it… however, from this simple list of commands comes a surprising amount of strategy, and in a very unique way, too.

Much of the strategy in this game comes from timing and positioning. While you’re locked-in on your opponent before you fire a punch, afterward you’re limited both in how you can move and how you can aim, meaning that it’s easier to dodge at this point. However, dodge too soon, and you’ll have a brief moment of vulnerability. Throws are a high-risk/high-reward move because they require both fists at once, but they can also break through someone who keeps shielding. Plus, each character has their own unique abilities, and on top of that every character can select one of multiple kinds of fists that change what they can do as well.

Like I said, it takes some getting used to, but once you do, it’s fun in a wildly unique way, and you’ll find jumping and dodging around while trying to land a shot can be tons of fun, although there are definitely times when it feels like both players are just trying to move around as much as possible until an opening comes up, and this can be a bit frustrating.

ARMS supports motion-control for the Joy-Cons, having players tilt the Joy-Cons in the direction you want them to go, or punch them forward to punch. This is a nice novelty, but honestly I found myself liking the traditional controls far more, and found myself getting much better control that way. Even then, this game’s control scheme is fairly unique and takes getting used to.

One other thing I want to be sure to point out is this game’s online multiplayer, which worked like a dream for me. I know how frequently Nintendo lets us down with shoddy online, but this may have very well been my best online experience on the Switch, and I have zero complaints about the time I spent in online matches (except perhaps that I still suck and I lost a lot).

ARMS isn’t going to be a game for everyone – it’s weird and has unusual controls that take some getting used to, and the focus more on positioning and timing and less on skillful move combinations will throw off those expecting something closer to a traditional fighting game. However, I feel that those who give this game a chance and get used to its unique way of playing will find it to be a fantastic experience on the Switch.

tl;dr – ARMS is a wildly unique 3D Fighting Game that plays like nothing else out there, with players focusing less on skillful moves and more on position and timing as they try to land punches on each other using stretchy arms. It is a surprisingly fun experience, and one that looks great and plays great, including in its 4-Player split-screen mode and in online matches. If you want a great competitive game on your Switch and don’t mind something that’s weird and takes some time getting used to, this is a must-have.

Grade: A-

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The Nintendo Switch 2 Difference

ARMS

Genre: 3D Fighting Game

Players: 1-4 Competitive (Local Split-Screen), 2 Competitive (Online)

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Review:

One of the initial batch of games to receive free updates on Nintendo Switch 2 when it launched in 2025, ARMS is a game that probably deserves a second shot, never having quite caught on in the way we’ve seen games like Splatoon and Ring Fit Adventure be embraced by Nintendo Switch players. However, what can even be done with this game? It already looks great and runs smoothly on Nintendo Switch. Well, except perhaps in 3- and 4-player split-screen, where the framerate is halved, but the game still looks great.

Not great enough, it seems! This free update on Nintendo Switch 2 bumps up the resolution and adds HDR support, but probably the most significant change is that it fixes the one minor graphical blemish on an otherwise-outstanding game, bringing the framerates up to par in 4-player split-screen to match the rest of the game, and indeed it looks great now.

As for the other stuff? Well, it looks good, but I felt like it already looked good. Still, it’s a free update so I’m not gonna’ say no.

Overall, a nice free update to a solid, underrated game.

tl;dr – ARMS is a wildly unique 3D Fighting Game that plays like nothing else out there, with players focusing less on skillful moves and more on position and timing as they try to land punches on each other using stretchy arms. It is a surprisingly fun experience, and one that looks great and plays great, including in its 4-Player split-screen mode and in online matches. If you want a great competitive game on your Switch and don’t mind something that’s weird and takes some time getting used to, this is a must-have.

Grade: A-

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