ARMS is Out Now for Nintendo Switch, Do You Need It?

Following E3 2017, Nintendo’s newest IP ARMS has just released worldwide for the Switch. Do you absolutely need it? Read on for more details, including a review roundup the reveal of the game’s first DLC.

Game Briefing

ARMS is a colorful, quirky fighter game with a focus on the Switch’s Joy-Con motion controls. You can play ARMS with any Switch controller you like, but the real fun is in feeling your punches being thrown and getting into the action of it all.

Fighters use interchangeable, extendable arms to duke it out in the various diverse arenas. I had a blast getting a feel for the different abilities, weights, and speeds of these arms in the Global Testpunch, and there are even more available in the full game.

There are a variety of characters to choose from, each with their own unique stats and abilities.

Players can choose from several modes, like single or team arena fights, ARMS versions of some sports, and the Grand Prix, which tasks players with battling the game’s roster in a series of matches.

Review Roundup

One of the more critical ARMS reviews from USgamer says, “While it has potential with its layers of depth, the core game simply doesn’t have enough variety among its many arms and fighters to keep the experience feeling fresh for long.”

A bit more positive review from Polygon tells us, “With a stylish, memorable cast of characters, inventive gameplay mechanics and smart use of the Switch hardware, ARMS already feels like Nintendo’s next great new franchise.”

• USgamer: 3/5 
• Polygon: 8/10
• GamesRadar: 4.5/5
• Gamespot: 7/10
• Eurogamer: Recommended
• Metacritic: 77/100

DLC Reveal

The first word of ARMS DLC’s came from Nintendo’s Treehouse Live E3 stream, which revealed the game’s new fighter, Max Brass. This hunk of man comes to the game next month as part of a DLC. Max Brass will not flinch at punches while his arms are charged, and his arms stay charged when he’s below 20% health.

After release, ARMS is getting an earlier DLC in June that will add a spectator mode.

Nintendo’s stepped up their DLC game in this era of the Switch with a big one coming to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild soon and a couple more on the way. ARMS already has two DLC’s lined up, and it seems fair to assume we’ll see some more that will add to the fun.

It’s hard to not recommend Nintendo’s newest franchise in a while, even with that steep $60 price point. Reviews are somewhat critical but overall positive, and Nintendo’s commitment to DLC brings some promise for fresh content into the months after release.

I think it’s worth a go. What are your thoughts on ARMS? Let us know in the comments!