ARMS | |
---|---|
![]() Home menu icon, depicting Spring Man getting punched by Ribbon Girl (arm visible only) | |
Developer(s) | Nintendo EPD [lower-alpha 1] |
Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
Director(s) |
|
Producer(s) | Kosuke Yabuki |
Designer(s) | Shintaro Jikumaru |
Programmer(s) | Kenta Sato |
Artist(s) | Masaaki Ishikawa |
Composer(s) |
|
Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch |
Release | June 16, 2017 |
Genre(s) | Fighting, sports |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Arms [lower-alpha 2] is a 2017 fighting game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The game differentiates itself from standard fighting games with its unconventional fighting system where every playable character fights with long range attacks and up to four players can choose a fighter and battle using a variety of extendable, weaponized arms to knock out opponents in a three-dimensional arena. Arms received generally favorable reviews from critics and sold over two million copies by July 2018.
Arms is a 3D fighting sports game in which up to four players can control one of a variety of fighters, with the player able to perform basic fighting actions using extendable arms such as punching, throwing, blocking and dodging. [1] [2] Arms features fifteen playable fighters, including Min Min and Twintelle, with five of them being released as downloadable content. [3] Each fighter starts with three unique Arms that can be selected in battle, but the use of all other fighters' Arms can be unlocked in the Get Arms mode. All fighters also have unique attributes in combat. [4] When the attack meter is fully charged, players are able to unleash a high-damage "rush attack" against their opponents. Players can also charge their attacks to temporarily increase damage and utilize elemental effects. [5] Each character has a different set of abilities and unique Arms for different strategies. Players are able to use the system's Joy-Con motion controls or standard button inputs with controllers such as the Pro Controller to operate each Arm individually. Players are also able to customize their Arm load outs, with each Arm being able to be selected independently. Every Arm is different with elemental attributes and varying weights that affect gameplay. Up to four players are able to play in a single match, either in a three or four-way free-for-all, or in a two-on-two mode in which teammates are tethered together. [6] [7]
Besides the standard fighting mode, Arms features multiple other modes: Versus, Grand Prix, and a variety of Battle modes. In Grand Prix, players take on a set of 10 matches against computer-controlled fighters to win the championship belt. Battle mode consists of volleyball and basketball modes, a target breaking mode, and a survival mode. [6] Players can also play online in a party match lobby with up to 20 players, or in one-on-one ranked matches. [8] Arms featured ten playable fighters at launch, with five additional fighters added via post-release updates. [9]
The game was developed by Nintendo's Entertainment Planning & Development division with assistance from Bandai Namco Studios. [10] [11] In the beginning, the game began as a wish to see if a behind-the-camera perspective could work in a fighting game. [10] To make this idea work, the main feature of extendable arms was implemented, with Yabuki stating "Let's talk about a game I know about very well - Mario Kart. Something appears in the distance and you steer in relation to that - that's the basic structure of the game," in reference to Mario Kart and how its gameplay helped influence Arms. [12]
Early on, the idea of featuring staple Nintendo characters such as Link and Mario was considered. However, the aesthetic of the game, especially with the concept of extendable arms, clashed with them, and it was eventually decided that a new cast of characters be created. [13] The possibility of adding characters from Punch-Out!! was also considered but the team was concerned about alienating fans of that franchise and potentially confusing new players. [14]
Character designs started with the arms first with the team working backwards to decide what type of character would possess it, for instance the character of Helix, started with the idea of a fighter whose arms were DNA strands, although the team initially did not know much else about him. Most fighters were designed to fill a gameplay need, although there are some exceptions where a design came first. [13] An early concept for the game had the characters using external devices to punch their opponents; however, this was later dropped in favor of the characters extending their actual arms. [15] Art director Masaaki Ishikawa said that the game's art style was largely influenced by Dragon Ball and Akira . [16] Yabuki has stated that, as opposed to one single protagonist, all of the characters are the protagonists of the game. [17]
The game was announced at the Nintendo Switch Presentation on January 12, 2017, and was released worldwide on June 16, 2017. [1] [18] Prior to the game's release, a multiplayer demo known as the "Arms Global Testpunch" was made available for download on the Nintendo eShop, with players being able to test the online gameplay during twelve separate hour-long sessions. [19] [20]
Irregular post-release updates were released featuring new playable characters, stages, and arms. [21] These free releases of additional content followed Splatoon 's update model, [22] while the Testpunch demo was also available for use multiple times. The game received new characters and stages by way of downloadable content until December 2017, when Nintendo announced that they would no longer be adding new content to the game other than balance updates. [23] [24] [25]
In May 2018, a limited-time demo of the game was released on the eShop. Unlike the Testpunch events, this demo only featured offline modes of single-player and local multiplayer with a limited selection of characters and Arms to choose from. [26]
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 77/100 [27] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Destructoid | 7/10 [28] |
Edge | 9/10 [29] |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Famitsu | 33/40 [31] |
Game Informer | 8.25/10 [32] |
GameSpot | 7/10 [33] |
GamesRadar+ | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hardcore Gamer | 4.5/5 [35] |
IGN | 8/10 [36] |
Nintendo Life | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Nintendo World Report | 8/10 [38] |
Polygon | 8/10 [39] |
Arms has been compared to the boxing minigame from Wii Sports . [40] [41] Jack Sheperd of The Independent stated after playing it at a Switch hands-on event that it was one of the "most impressive" games on display. [42] Edge compared Arms with other Nintendo titles and thought that "Arms is to the fighting game what Splatoon is to the online shooter or Mario Kart to the driving game". [29]
The game received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. [27] Brandon Graeber from IGN praised the game's complexity and addictive nature, but noted the game's lack of content at launch. [36] Michael McWhertor from Polygon applauded the game's concept, which he described as creative, and that the game reminded him of the Punch-Out!! series, stating that Arms could become Nintendo's next big franchise. [39] Kallie Plagge from GameSpot praised the character roster, but criticized the game's steep learning curve. [33]
Multiple publications listed the game as one of the best of 2017. [43] [44] [45] In Game Informer 's Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards, the game placed third for "Best Fighting Game". [46] It was also nominated for the same category in IGN's Best of 2017 Awards. [47] The game has seen a small, but dedicated esports scene across multiple regions. [48]
Arms debuted at number two on the UK sales charts, behind Horizon Zero Dawn . [49] It was number two in Australia, behind the same game. [50] It sold 100,652 physical copies during its first week of release in Japan, and debuted at number one on the all-format sales charts. [51] By September 30, 2018, the game had sold over 2.1 million copies worldwide. [52] The 2023 CESA Games White Papers revealed that ARMS had sold 2.72 million units, as of December 31,2022 [update] . [53]
Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Game Critics Awards | Best Fighting Game | Nominated | [54] |
Golden Joystick Awards | Nintendo Game of the Year | Nominated | [55] [56] | |
The Game Awards 2017 | Best Fighting Game | Nominated | [57] | |
2018 | 21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards | Fighting Game of the Year | Nominated | [58] |
A graphic novel by Dark Horse Comics based on Arms was under production [59] [60] before it was reportedly cancelled in March 2021. [61] Several elements of the game exist in the 2018 crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate , such as Spring Man appearing as a summonable Assist Trophy and several characters cameoing as collectable Spirits. In addition, a downloadable content pack featuring Min Min as a playable fighter, Spring Stadium as a stage, and 18 music tracks from the game was released on June 29, 2020. [62] An Amiibo figure of Min Min was released on April 29, 2022. [63]
Mario Party is a party video game series featuring characters from the Mario franchise in which up to four local players or computer-controlled characters compete in a board game interspersed with minigames. The games are currently developed by NDcube and published by Nintendo, being previously developed by Hudson Soft. The series is known for its party game elements, including the often unpredictable multiplayer modes that allow play with up to four, and sometimes eight, human players or CPUs.
Marvel vs. Capcom is a series of crossover fighting games developed and published by Capcom, featuring characters from their own video game franchises and comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The series originated as coin-operated arcade games, though later releases would be specifically developed for home consoles, handhelds, and personal computers.
Balloon Fight is an action video game developed by Nintendo and HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. The original arcade version was released for the Nintendo VS. System internationally as Vs. Balloon Fight, while its Nintendo Entertainment System counterpart was released in Japan in 1985 and internationally in 1986.
Super Smash Bros. is a crossover platform fighting game series published by Nintendo. The series was created by Masahiro Sakurai, who has directed every game in the series. The series is known for its unique gameplay objective which differs from that of traditional fighters, in that the aim is to increase damage counters and knock opponents off the stage instead of depleting life bars.
SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium is a crossover fighting game developed and published by SNK for the Neo Geo Pocket Color in 1999.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a 2008 crossover fighting game developed by Sora Ltd. and Game Arts and published by Nintendo for the Wii. The third installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, it was announced at a pre-E3 2005 press conference by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata. Masahiro Sakurai, director of the previous two games in the series, assumed the role of director at Iwata's request. Game development began in October 2005 with a creative team that included members from several Nintendo and third-party development teams. After delays due to development problems, the game was released worldwide in 2008.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, both commonly referred to together as Super Smash Bros. 4, are 2014 crossover platform fighter video games developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U video game consoles. It is the fourth installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, succeeding Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The Nintendo 3DS version was released in Japan on September 13, 2014, and in North America, Europe, and Australia the following month. The Wii U version was released in North America, Europe, and Australia in November 2014 and in Japan the following month.
Bayonetta 2 is a 2014 action-adventure hack and slash video game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Nintendo. It is the sequel to the 2009 game Bayonetta, and was directed by Yusuke Hashimoto and produced by Atsushi Inaba, Akiko Kuroda, and Hitoshi Yamagami, under supervision by series creator Hideki Kamiya.
Shovel Knight is a platform video game developed and published by Yacht Club Games. Development was crowdfunded and the game was released for Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and Windows in June 2014. It was ported to OS X and Linux in September 2014, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox One in April 2015, Amazon Fire TV in September 2015, and Nintendo Switch in March 2017. Shovel Knight is inspired by gameplay and graphics of platformer games developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Cuphead is a 2017 run and gun game developed and published by Studio MDHR. The game follows its titular teacup-headed character and his brother Mugman, as they make a deal with the Devil to pay casino losses by repossessing the souls of runaway debtors. In the game, up to two players control Cuphead and/or Mugman to fight through several levels and boss fights; the game does not have a rigid narrative structure. As the game progresses, the protagonist acquires more power and abilities, eventually facing the Devil himself. Players, however, can only equip a limited number of these abilities at a given time.
Pokkén Tournament is a fighting video game developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game combines gameplay elements from Bandai Namco's Tekken series and other fighting games, such as 3D and 2D movement, with characters from the Pokémon franchise. It was released for Japanese arcades in July 2015, and worldwide for the Wii U in March 2016. An enhanced port for the Nintendo Switch, Pokkén Tournament DX, was released in September 2017. The arcade version was published by Bandai Namco, the Japanese console versions were published by The Pokémon Company, and the console versions outside of Japan were published by Nintendo.
Splatoon 2 is a 2017 third-person shooter game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was released on July 21, 2017, as a direct sequel to Splatoon. As with the previous installment, Splatoon 2 consists of online multiplayer alongside a single-player campaign, all featuring combat based around ink. An expansion pack for the single-player mode titled Octo Expansion was subsequently released as downloadable content (DLC) on June 13, 2018.
Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers is a fighting game developed and published by Capcom for the Nintendo Switch, which released worldwide on 26 May 2017 to celebrate the Street Fighter series' 30th anniversary. It is an updated version of 1994's Super Street Fighter II Turbo. The game features two graphical styles: classic pixel art and updated high-definition art. New gameplay mechanics and modes were also introduced, with minor changes being made to the game's balance. The game garnered mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who praised its updated visuals, but criticized the $40 price, the Way of the Hado mode, and control problems.
Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together! is a puzzle video game developed by SFB Games and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The game was released worldwide as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch on March 3, 2017. An expanded version, titled Snipperclips Plus, was released on November 10, 2017. In the game, the players have a "snipping" mechanic where they can cut the other player into a different shape, which is used to solve the various puzzles.
WWE 2K18 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by 2K. It is the nineteenth instalment in the WWE game series and a follow-up to WWE 2K17. It was released worldwide on October 17, 2017, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. With its release, WWE 2K18 became the first in the series to be exclusively released on eighth generation hardware and also the first in the series to be released for PC and consoles simultaneously. A Nintendo Switch version followed on December 6, 2017, the only release of the series for the Switch and the first WWE game to be released for a Nintendo platform since WWE '13.
Twintelle is a character in the 2017 video game Arms by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Unlike other playable characters in Arms, who fight using their arms, Twintelle fights using her hair. She is depicted as a femme fatale and a celebrity. The design process for her was more complicated than the others in Arms, as producer Kosuke Yabuki wished to consult Nintendo's American and European branches in an effort to represent people of different backgrounds and national origins.
Dragon Ball FighterZ is a 2.5D fighting game developed by Arc System Works and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Based on the Dragon Ball franchise, it was released for the PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, in most regions in January 2018, and in Japan the following month, and was released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch in September 2018. Versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S were released in February 2024 alongside an update adding rollback netcode for these versions and Windows.
Attack on Titan 2, known in PAL regions as A.O.T. 2, is an action hack and slash video game based on Hajime Isayama's manga series of the same name released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Xbox One, and Stadia.
Fighting EX Layer is a fighting video game developed by Arika. It is a spiritual successor to Fighting Layer and the Street Fighter EX series and features many of the same characters from the latter. The game was released for PlayStation 4 in June 2018, with ports for Microsoft Windows and Arcade released the following November. A mobile version of the game, titled Fighting EX Layer -α, was later released for iOS and Android devices in April 2019. A Nintendo Switch port of the game, Fighting EX Layer Another Dash was released in 2021.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a 2018 crossover fighting game developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the fifth installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, succeeding Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014). The game follows the series' traditional style of gameplay, in which players control one of the various characters and use attacks to weaken their opponents and knock them out of an arena. It features a wide variety of game modes, including a single-player campaign and multiplayer versus modes. Ultimate features 89 playable fighters, including all characters from previous Super Smash Bros. games as well as newcomers. The roster ranges from Nintendo characters to those from third-party franchises.