Arms Reviews
Nintendo’s new IP and foray into fighting games manages to craft its own identity and earns its place within the existing lineup.
Arms' unique take on fighting can be hard to adjust to, but once you do, it's a surprisingly deep fighter that has you thinking on your feet.
There's a lot of personality on the surface in Arms (mainly I love that title theme song), and I hope Nintendo continues to build on it as planned. It works as a fighter, I just wish there was more to do in this debut entry -- both pragmatically in terms of modes and on an emotional level, as I haven't really connected with its universe yet despite its raw style.
Nintendo's new all-ages fighter won't sell millions of Switches, but it does provide another novel experience for the system's early adopters
ARMS is a shallow yet approachable experience that could have used just a bit more depth, detail, and personality.
Nintendo has produced a game which is occasionally elating, often frustrating, but which definitely feels like nothing we've tried before. Assuming you're willing to overlook its flaws, ARMS could be a welcome addition to your growing collection of Switch games.
ARMS is a truly unique experience that digs into my nostalgia with games like Punch Out! I just hope the free DLC will make it feel more fleshed out. Quality cannot be argued here, but content definitely feels far too light at launch.
The mechanics in Arms isn't perfect, as the motion controller can be tricky to get used to. Aside for that, this is a surprisingly deep fighting game that reminds us of Punch-Out. Fun, colorful and with a great online-mode.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
ARMS takes a fresh look at the old fighting game. By giving it the twist of friendly Ninteo games, it allows everyone to enjoy its new way of fighting each other. However, its roster of look-alikes make us think that the game certainly won't last long for the most demanding players.
Review in French | Read full review
Overall, ARMS is a solid foundation for a game of its kind. Nintendo has already confirmed post-launch support in the form of new fighters, stages, and modes. With simple menus and bright colors, the presentation here is immaculate. After playing over 30 hours of ARMS, it is hard not to be excited to see where the community grows from here. Still, players need to understand that they are coming in on the ground level of an experimental fighting game that will only feel more rewarding as time goes on.
There's something to be said about Nintendo throwing curve balls to keep players from becoming complacent.
ARMS is an original fighting game in the genre. Casuals will appreciate simple gameplay mechanics and more experienced players won't have it easy to master it.
Review in Polish | Read full review
I had a lot of fun playing the game in small bursts at a time, but it's hard to keep invested when all I'm doing is beating someone up for each and every round. Let's hope that ARMS will continue the path that Splatoon laid before it by giving players new content and new things to do via free game updates. I really hope so, because I really want to see this game in a more fleshed out form!
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.
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
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.
"Knees are weak, arms are heavy."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
I had a great time with ARMS, but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s not quite there yet.
Part crazy fighting game, part pachinko machine, ARMS could be the distraction you want in your life, if you can be bothered to learn the many intricacies by yourself through experimentation.