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Arms

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Arms

Jun 16, 2017

Main game

3.09 average rating based on 409 ratings

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Arms, a mix of boxing and shooting where you use extendable arms to battle your friends both locally and online! Take a Joy-Con in each hand and punch forward, twisting your fists to bend your attacks. "Choose a fighting champion from around the world, equip your own combination of extendable arms, and then use a mix of button presses and quick hand motions to really take the fight to your opponent. Throw punches and guide them midflight to hit agile fighters, avoid incoming attacks with dashes, or trampoline high into the air to rain down fists from above. Power-up your … More
Arms, a mix of boxing and shooting where you use extendable arms to battle your friends both locally and online! Take a Joy-Con in each hand and punch forward, twisting your fists to bend your attacks. "Choose a fighting champion from around the world, equip your own combination of extendable arms, and then use a mix of button presses and quick hand motions to really take the fight to your opponent. Throw punches and guide them midflight to hit agile fighters, avoid incoming attacks with dashes, or trampoline high into the air to rain down fists from above. Power-up your punches to deal extra damage or curve your fists around obstacles to hit skittish opponents. Fill up your special gauge to dish out devastating combinations and finish them off. Unleash your inner fighter in this unbelievable sporting event! " Less
Release Dates
Jun 16, 2017 Full Release (Worldwide)
Nintendo Switch
Jun 05, 2025 Next-Gen Optimization Patch Release (Worldwide)
Nintendo Switch 2
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User Stats
803
In Collection
163
Wish Listed
44
Playing
103
Backlogged
How Long Is Arms?
Main story: 8.4 hours
100% completion: 7.1 hours
Total completions: 6
Amgart
Amgart gave Apr 29, 2020
Amgart gave Apr 29, 2020
Interesting fighting game... with a controller!
This review is for the Nintendo Switch version

Arms is a good evolution of Wii boxing game (from Wii Sports) but it didn't catch me. I was thinking of working out and I must say that this game does not work for me. So.. I bought Fitness Boxing.

If you want a fun boxing game, this game is for you. I think it has potential as a multiplayer game, even esports. Different characters with different combat approaches, different scenarios for each character... it is a fighting game.

But if you want to play... do it with the controller. The motion detection is awful... not intuitive. For example, if your rival moves to one side you first need to center the rival and then punch. You can't punch to one side. What you can do is punch and then turn the hand and the fist turn. This is one example but most of the moves are not intuitive.

So... an interesting fighting game.. with a controller. And do not use it for working out :)

BTW... the volleyball minigame is just horrible.

deepdoop
deepdoop gave Jun 19, 2017
deepdoop gave Jun 19, 2017
deepdoop's review of Arms

Rating: 8/10

It suffers at launch with a lack of content. I wish Nintendo wouldn't occasionally use this model where they release a game and then give free DLC to make up for the fact that there's not that much content. Free DLC is great, but initial reviews are lower because there's not as much to do. There's a grand prix that acts as a story mode and it does a good job of introducing you to the different modes and whatnot, but it's not real big. I mean, I think a lot of fighting game fans play online so it's not actually that big of a deal, but for those who prefer offline it will get boring quicker. I think that's a problem a lot of fighting games have.

With that said, the stuff that is here is a lot of fun. The different game modes are unique and interesting, more than simple one-offs, but the mean and potatoes is the fighting itself. Nintendo manages to take genres and put unique spins on them, so don't be fooled by the graphics, which I find charming but others find kiddy.

There's depth here due to the different character abilities and …

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Rating: 8/10

It suffers at launch with a lack of content. I wish Nintendo wouldn't occasionally use this model where they release a game and then give free DLC to make up for the fact that there's not that much content. Free DLC is great, but initial reviews are lower because there's not as much to do. There's a grand prix that acts as a story mode and it does a good job of introducing you to the different modes and whatnot, but it's not real big. I mean, I think a lot of fighting game fans play online so it's not actually that big of a deal, but for those who prefer offline it will get boring quicker. I think that's a problem a lot of fighting games have.

With that said, the stuff that is here is a lot of fun. The different game modes are unique and interesting, more than simple one-offs, but the mean and potatoes is the fighting itself. Nintendo manages to take genres and put unique spins on them, so don't be fooled by the graphics, which I find charming but others find kiddy.

There's depth here due to the different character abilities and the many different arms you can have. It's not a button masher and if you do button mash you will get destroyed. Sure, that is true for most fighting games, but because it leaves you so open, mashing it incredibly dangerous here. There's a fairly steep learning cave because it's so different than everything else, but it's worth it.

On top of that, there are cool little things like different stages having different things that happen, whether it's platforms rising/having them to jump and move on, or cars being in the way, or having to fight up and down stairs (which actually adds more tactics to it).

I haven't spent a lot of time online yet but I've played enough to say that it does a good job of matching people up and putting you in different modes. Like offline, there's enough variety here to stay interesting for a while.

The motion controls are really weird. Maybe if I put some practice in it would be okay but that's not for me.

I'm always excited when a new Nintendo IP does well and this is no different. I'm sure in the months to come this will deserve higher than an 8 because more content will almost always mean a better game. If you're scared of it not having content and you can wait, maybe you should do that, but I don't regret getting it now because it's so much fun. So this is a weird 8 out of 10.

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SinAndPunish
SinAndPunish gave Dec 8, 2022
SinAndPunish gave Dec 8, 2022
Not an ARMS length of content
This review is for the Nintendo Switch version

No hate towards this game, I greatly enjoy it just one major issue. The lack of content is surreal. How did you sell this game as a full price retail game Nintendo?

MellyHeals
MellyHeals gave Apr 7, 2020
MellyHeals gave Apr 7, 2020
HAMS
This review is for the Nintendo Switch version

I wasn't really interested in Arms when it came out, simply because i didn't have a switch at the time and when i finally got one, many other games were already out on the system.

I thought that, if the game did not garner that much attention, it was for a good reason, so i never bothered to really looked into it. However, 2 weeks ago, the game went Free To Play for a limited time after the announcement of an arms character for smash, so i decided to finally check this game out and i have to say : I was wrong about this game.

Arms follows the Splatoon tradition by proposing a unique twist to an already exiting genre. With a fun gameplay initially but surprisingly technical in the end, it offers a vast array of game modes and challenges to keep you entertained.

The soundtrack is also a formidable efficiency with a main theme that will cling to your memory for a very long time (Dr Coyle's theme is probably my favorite). However, a certain lack of a general backstory is to be regretted when it comes to the characters . Nothing to stop you from having …

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I wasn't really interested in Arms when it came out, simply because i didn't have a switch at the time and when i finally got one, many other games were already out on the system.

I thought that, if the game did not garner that much attention, it was for a good reason, so i never bothered to really looked into it. However, 2 weeks ago, the game went Free To Play for a limited time after the announcement of an arms character for smash, so i decided to finally check this game out and i have to say : I was wrong about this game.

Arms follows the Splatoon tradition by proposing a unique twist to an already exiting genre. With a fun gameplay initially but surprisingly technical in the end, it offers a vast array of game modes and challenges to keep you entertained.

The soundtrack is also a formidable efficiency with a main theme that will cling to your memory for a very long time (Dr Coyle's theme is probably my favorite). However, a certain lack of a general backstory is to be regretted when it comes to the characters . Nothing to stop you from having fun, but that remains to be noted.

These 2 weeks were enough for me to complete the solo campaign's main challenges, fill the gallery and get me a nice collection of Arms and badges.

Now the question is, will i buy the full game ? Well, i'm still debating on that, i think my main gripe with the game is that the combat doesn't have enough depth for me to get invested in the competitive aspect of the game, and now that the completionist side of me is satisfied, i don't think the online multiplayer will be enough for me to come back to the game.

With that said, the game was extremely fun and felt really polished in ever aspect, you can tell by the official art and look of the game that the developpers really cared about the characters and the world they live in.

3.7 out of 5, would beat up people with my spaghetti arms again.

(Ps : Lola Pop was my main and now i have developped a clown fetish, thanks nintendo)

(Ps : Lola Pop was my main and now i have developped a clown fetish, thanks nintendo)

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QuilDewIvy
QuilDewIvy gave Jan 5, 2020
QuilDewIvy gave Jan 5, 2020
ARMS - Quick Review
This review is for the Nintendo Switch version

Nintendo tries a fighting game other than Smash and it doesn't turn out well.

I think a lot of it has to do with how they shot themselves in the foot, neutral is set solely around two commands that while used in modular ways and can be done in combination to each other already gives a very small skill ceiling to get to. To make matters worse, neutral game is far more about poking rather than mind games. You're attempting to get the luckiest frame advantage possible before you can either set them up for a grab or attack into a super.

There's no real interest here after an hour, it's a poor fighting game on its own and the singleplayer content doesn't really fix that either. It's no Shaq Fu for sure, there's some competency here to the kinesthetics and the aesthetics themselves pop (although, i found the soundtrack forgettable). There's definitely an idea of where fun is had here but the competitive mindset these kind of games bring just end in tedium. Go pick up something else really, rather than the bottom of the barrel of the Switch lineup. (4/10)

LuccaCardoso
LuccaCardoso gave Oct 25, 2018
LuccaCardoso gave Oct 25, 2018
LuccaCardoso's review of Arms

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.

Full review here (in Portuguese)

mattcrossestheline
mattcrossestheline gave Feb 9, 2018
mattcrossestheline gave Feb 9, 2018
mattcrossestheline's review of Arms

9/10 - A "science spectacle" fighter, unlike anything I've ever played Character designs are badass, the dynamic and chain-reaction based combat is very satisfying, a great focus on pure mind-games and fighting mechanics

BMO
BMO updated their status Jan 16, 2024
BMO updated their status Jan 16, 2024

Nintendo: We think you'll LOVE
these games Based on the games you've played in the past, we think these titles are right up your alley-check it out!

Ok Nintendo, I’ll see what you got for me.

Nintendo: If you liked Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, you might like Arms

Well that’s a stretch!

Jusfei
Jusfei updated their status Aug 9, 2021
Jusfei updated their status Aug 9, 2021

Finished Grand Prix on Lv. 2 with Springman

My thoughts:

I think this game is a great starting base (though definitely not worth a full $60). I like how the gameplay mechanics are based purely on using the right punches at the right time, as opposed to traditional fight games with their mechanical frame-perfect combos. The character designs are super unique, and the music is like 11/10 GLORIOUS. I listened to the game's songs since release even before Min Min's Smash Bros DLC, and I really like how the songs are all variations of the same motif but yet they all still sound vastly different! The soundtrack definitely pushed me to give this game a shot.

That being said, I still don't think this game holds up as well as Punchout Wii, with a much more robust single player and much more precise controls (I never got ARM's curve punching).

It's sad that this game didn't seem to catch up as opposed to the much more popular Splatoon, but I feel Nintendo can better flesh out ARMs with a second attempt. Sometimes, I just like to see Nintendo experiment with new IPs.

TC1369
TC1369 updated their status Mar 26, 2020
TC1369 updated their status Mar 26, 2020

Nintendo is letting people that have paid for the online play Arms for free (the full game too). Always wanted to try this game out, and I'm very happy so far. It reminds of a lot of splatoon 1, it's got a ton of charm and is very fun. I recommend everyone to check it out if you have the time, which considering the whole virus situation, you probably do :)

apr
apr updated their status Jun 22, 2019
apr updated their status Jun 22, 2019

Was pulled into this by the really incredible art style, but there's just enough variety to the gameplay to keep me coming back. A great game to pick up for a few fights or a run through the grand prix, and still get better at. Combat is super accessible but depth keeps revealing itself.

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AlexGarbus
AlexGarbus updated their status Jun 3, 2017
AlexGarbus updated their status Jun 3, 2017

Honestly unsure of how I feel about Arms after playing the Testpunch. It's fun, but I don't think it'll be worth $60. I also felt the motion controls weren't the best, but maybe that's just a matter of me not being used to them.