Arms Reviews
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
ARMS is a game that, despite looking simple, can get deeper as the player continues to play. With its well-executed technical and artistic aspects and a surprisingly responsive motion controls system, it's an essential game for any Switch-owner.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A fun take on the fighting genre that has Nintendo's own level of polish applied to it.
If you had told me a year ago that Nintendo would have made motion controls fashionable again with the Switch, I would have laughed.
All in all, ARMS feels closer to a half-attempt at a massive new IP by Nintendo – boldened by the success of Splatoon, but still holding themselves back for fear of overinvesting.
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.
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
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
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
What it lacks in story, Arms makes up for it in style, character and utilisation of the Nintendo Switch's bells and whistles.
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.
Arms is another fun, new franchise for Nintendo!
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.
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.
ARMS staying power will depend on its ability to form a community around this punchy little title. Currently, Nintendo has plans to release additional stages and fighters for free. This DLC will help the title keep its legs underneath it while the Switch install base grows and the ARMS community grows with it. The early success of the Switch and the level of detail that Nintendo has crafted into ARMS assures that this is a great franchise with huge potential for growth that is fun for newcomers and veteran fighting game fans alike.
The colors pop. The theme song burrows its way into your dreams. Were Nintendo to take Arms away now, it would still exist as a part of our collective memory, a phantom limb we remember having always, even if we're just now getting the hang of this fascinating new appendage.
Although ARMS may not be perfect, it's a really good time playing both online and locally with friends. Its single player offerings are underwhelming, and more story content to experience and the removal or refinement of the three bland mini-games would have pushed ARMS to near perfection.
It's a rarity these days that you come across a game which feels like nothing you've ever played before, but ARMS is exactly that. It's fresh, vibrant and genuinely a lot of fun to play. It's a fighting game with depth, which even non-fighting enthusiasts can get into. I have some concerns about how long it will take for the game to become stale in its current state, but I'm equally excited to see where Nintendo takes the franchise.
Arms is a zany, promising new IP from Nintendo that exudes confidence in almost everything it offers. The fun garnered from its gameplay mechanics and enjoyable multiplayer modes is enough to make it feel like a worthwhile package, even though it's currently a bit light on content.
ARMS is an exciting, offbeat Nintendo Switch game that takes the tournament fighter genre and gives it a Splatoon-like quirky twist.