Arms Reviews

Arms is ranked in the 75th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.6 / 10.0
Jun 15, 2017

ARMS is an excellent example of a mechanically excellent title, focusing mostly on the actual gameplay more than anything else.

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9.5 / 10.0
Jun 21, 2017

Arms is an amazing game and a break out from standard Nintendo titles. It accommodates a wide range of players and play styles, and has enough in it to make you keep coming back to it daily. Arms, while competitive, is accessible by everyone and anyone. People old enough to remember the Virtual On series will be right at home, and new players will soon follow. This is a must buy.

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Thomas Hugh
Top Critic
6 / 10.0
Jun 12, 2017

ARMS is an interesting concept that unfortunately doesn't play as well as it should, and doesn't have enough content to justify a full priced title.

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Unscored
Jun 7, 2017

It's as fundamental as fighting-game fundamentals get, and it's not afraid to be a punishing teacher.

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Nintendo News
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jun 7, 2017

ARMS truly shines in its party match-ups and versus modes, but it’s let down by a lack of online customisation options and diluted single player offerings which risk becoming repetitive over time. If you’re a fan of multiplayer fighters and prefer the comprehensive combat from Pokken Tournament, Street Fighter and Tekken, ARMS may feel too simplistic with its combat mechanics. But it doesn’t stop us hopping from limb to limb as a back to basics fighting game, albeit with a unique twist.

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8 / 10.0
Dec 10, 2017

Arms is a beautiful and exciting experience. Its single player might be disappointing, but multiplayer is one of the best. The addition of motion sensors in Arms make it incredibly fun and overall, it's a great game with an enjoyable sense of humor

Review in Persian | Read full review

Shayan Ziaei
Top Critic
80 / 100
Aug 21, 2017

Arms is another outstanding franchise from Nintendo that could restore our faith in motion controlled gaming. Yet the game is far from complete; contents still look inadequate and Nintendo Switch hardware limitations cause inaccuracy in detecting motions from time to time. But in the gameplay side, Arms has truly distinguished itself from other motion controlled games out there and could entertain you for a very very long time.

Review in Persian | Read full review

4 / 5.0
Jun 26, 2017

A unique looking and sounding game bursting with character, with a fighting system that is uniquely unique, offering simple controls for beginners as well as depth for those looking for it. The game is only let down by its currently relatively meager content.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jun 30, 2017

ARMS tries to do several things at once and only barely manages. There's a great foundation with the gameplay that makes it great for both casual parties and fighting game junkies looking for something new. But the shallow mini-games and lack of customization options leave a lot to be desired for those looking for some quick fun and the competitive meta can do with some needed balance tweaks. On top of other questionable creative decisions, the final product is a lot like the franchise mascot Spring Man: a gangly yet spry pile of energy that has it where it counts but could use a bit more meat on its bones.

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Rice Digital
Kitsumeda
Top Critic
Jul 1, 2017

Since the Switch's launch, Nintendo has been showering us with an excellent new game every month and ARMS is no exception. Its tactical but accessible gameplay offers something for both the players seeking a challenge and those just looking for a bit of fun with friends. The plentiful online modes and equally impressive offline multiplayer mean this is one game you will be coming back to for a very long time. Now just don't forget to bring us LEGS Nintendo.

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TrueGaming
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Jun 21, 2017

Change is always welcome, ARMS is a breath of fresh air in the Fighting genre in which lacked this kind of change in recent years. Additionally, ARMS tremendously stood out competitively and professionally.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jun 17, 2017

ARMS feels more like a technical demo than a full game — with a lack of content and simple gameplay mechanics there's nothing to do after a few hours. But for a party game ARMS is really, really fun to play.

Review in Russian | Read full review

Cubed3
Top Critic
7 / 10
Jun 15, 2017

Overall, ARMS is delightfully quirky, surprisingly deep and, most importantly, strikingly self-confident. Whilst its vibrant and over-the-top aesthetic might have some expecting a shallow and simplistic experience, persevering with and embracing the game's sharp initial learning curve reveals a strong-willed and very detailed gameplay core. Nintendo made the right choice in highlighting the motion controls, which is by far the best way to play. Thankfully, it also showed a more practical side in allowing room for the other traditional control methods, too - an additional set of Joy-Con is expensive, after all. As with the original Splatoon, it is slightly disappointing that single-player content seems like an after-thought to the multiplayer. However, considering how that game was supported and expanded during its life-span, something Nintendo is likewise committed to here, there's no doubt there's plenty more to come from this instalment, and (presumably) from this refreshing new series.

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Jun 9, 2017

I can see people who enjoy the aesthetic and the intensity of the battles spending a lot of time in playing this one, and it will sit with Splatoon as Nintendo's quirky, creative, fundamentally different take on competitive gaming. I just don't think I'll ever play it again, having now wrapped up the review.

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8 / 10.0
Jun 8, 2017

Nintendo's innovative fighting game excels in the gameplay department and offers a robust multiplayer experience, but packs limited appeal for solo play. With a regular stream of content, though, ARMS is likely to have legs heading into the future.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 7, 2017

ARMS is one of my favorite games on the Nintendo Switch so far. With a large slew of ARMS and fun gameplay options, it leaves me very happy. While I wished that I enjoyed the button controls and Helix more, there is still enough to keep you engaged.

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Jun 7, 2017

If you're looking for a great multiplayer experience on the Switch you don't have to look any further than ARMS. The fighting system and mechanics are deep and a ton of fun while the characters and world built into this game really immerse you while you're battling.

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8 / 10.0
Jun 7, 2017

Comparing Arms to Mario Kart 8 with regards to the online experience comes out favorably, though, as Arms' fresher gameplay style and highly polished online lobbies and infrastructure makes it a more active and engaging online affair. Even with the Grand Prix drawbacks, Arms is a fantastic start to a new franchise. Time will tell if Arms truly has legs, but it's definitely firmly planted at launch.

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7.5 / 10.0
Jun 11, 2017

Nintendo’s new IP and foray into fighting games manages to craft its own identity and earns its place within the existing lineup.

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Jul 4, 2017

Arms wants to become the Mario Kart of 3D fighting games, but it's not quite there yet until it deals with the lack of content in both single- and multiplayer as well as its currently unfun party mode. There is a lot of potential for Arms to really shine and get its place in the spotlight - hopefully we'll be there in a few months after Nintendo has kept updating it with free fighters, stages and modes.

Review in German | Read full review