Squareboy vs Bullies: Arena Edition
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Squareboy vs Bullies: Arena Edition Media
Critic Reviews for Squareboy vs Bullies: Arena Edition
At the end of the day, Squareboy vs. Bullies: Arena Edition is a serviceable beat-em-up that doesn't go out of its way to stand out. While it does have a distinct Gameboy-inspired feel, its repetitive level design, disappointing enemy variety, and lack of content make for a middling five dollar experience.
Squareboy vs Bullies: Arena Edition has its origins in the mobile segment, where most games are very simple to play. This does not mean that those traits have to remain the same when the game is converted to a games' console. Squareboy vs Bullies: Arena Edition for the 3DS is too close to its mobile origins for its own sake, featuring generic levels, little originality and a too short lifespan that will not captivate the players for long enough.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Squareboy vs Bullies: Arena Edition could be seen under a positive light, as it contributes to the presence of a very underrepresented genre in the Switch catalog. Unfortunately it doesn't have much more going for it, as most of its elements could certainly be improved and if anything, it only motivates going back to its inspirational material.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Squareboy is a decent beat-em-up, if a little on the short side. The Switch version is definitely the better version of the game but perhaps doesn't quite do enough to justify the cost when a free option is available elsewhere. This isn't a bad game by any means – in fact, we had a rather enjoyable time playing through the story levels – but its flaws and inability to stand out from the crowd stop it from being a sure-fire hit.
Squareboy vs Bullies: Arena Edition is an entertaining release that offers some mindless beat ‘em up action. It is probably best played with younger players since it's not a challenging release for those who are more experienced in the genre. It's a bit weird that you end up beating up bullies as a way of teaching them to stop bullying others, but it's the thought that counts, right?
When it comes to beat 'em ups, few games are as simple as Squareboy vs. Bullies: Arena Edition.
Squareboy vs Bullies: Arena Edition stands up to make itself known on Nintendo Switch, but, rather than choosing to pay homage to greats such as Double Dragon and Final Fight, more inventiveness was needed to make it memorable. There’s enough to entertain for a short while, but the repetitive design and lack of any real ambition hold back its potential – resulting in an average experience that’s little more than a pushover.
