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Play Overview
Brawlhalla (2017) is an online fighting game where, like Smash Bros, the goal is to knock opponents off the stage. You do this by using your character's specific attacks to damage them until they can't get back to the platform.
It's quite simple to play with one button for light attacks and one for signature attacks (sigs in the community). The attackers are modified by the joystick direction. As you become proficient at the controls and a particular character you can use more buttons for attacking, performing special moves, picking up or throwing weapons, and dodging. What starts as a simple game soon reveals itself to be a highly skilled challenge that has its own esports leagues and meetings.
There is a wide range of (currently 49) characters available, although some of these you have to pay to access (see below). Each has four stats to define how they perform: Strength, Dexterity, Defence and Speed. Cross-over characters from other franchises are often added to the game as it has become more popular, including Shovel Knight, Rayman, Hellboy, WWE The Rock, and Tomb RaiderLara Croft.
On iOS and Android, you can compete with console and PC players. This enables you to fully customise your touchscreen control schemes and use controllers, letting them achieve precise combos in real-time combat.
Our examiner, Jo Robertson, first checked Brawlhalla 5 years ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 9 weeks ago.
It's quite simple to play with one button for light attacks and one for signature attacks (sigs in the community). The attackers are modified by the joystick direction. As you become proficient at the controls and a particular character you can use more buttons for attacking, performing special moves, picking up or throwing weapons, and dodging. What starts as a simple game soon reveals itself to be a highly skilled challenge that has its own esports leagues and meetings.
There is a wide range of (currently 49) characters available, although some of these you have to pay to access (see below). Each has four stats to define how they perform: Strength, Dexterity, Defence and Speed. Cross-over characters from other franchises are often added to the game as it has become more popular, including Shovel Knight, Rayman, Hellboy, WWE The Rock, and Tomb RaiderLara Croft.
On iOS and Android, you can compete with console and PC players. This enables you to fully customise your touchscreen control schemes and use controllers, letting them achieve precise combos in real-time combat.
Our examiner, Jo Robertson, first checked Brawlhalla 5 years ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 9 weeks ago.
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Play Style
This is an Action and Fighting game with Traversal elements. You can play with 1 to 4 players in the same room or as a 8-player online game. On Switch the local multiplayer is limited to four players. Competitive matches are 1-on-1. There is also a ranks team "duos" mode. PC players can create clans that any other players can join. This enables you to create groups of your friends, with multiple ranks within the clans. Clans gain experience from all members.
Then there are unranked modes:
Cross-Platform: Allows players on Android, iPhone, iPad, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One to queue against each other in online ranked play and to create custom lobbies which a player on any platform can join.
Then there are unranked modes:
- Free-For-All: A chaotic mode where 4 players knock each other out to gain points.
- 1v1 Strikeout: Players pick 3 characters which they play for 1 stock each.
- Experimental 1v1: Players test out upcoming features against each other.
- Custom: Online and locally for up to 8 players.
Cross-Platform: Allows players on Android, iPhone, iPad, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One to queue against each other in online ranked play and to create custom lobbies which a player on any platform can join.
You can play this game in the following styles:
Duration
Play Time: It takes between 5 minutes and 10 minutes to play a round of this game. The matches are short but to get good at a character and improve your rank requires many hours of practice.
Benefits
This game is good if you want to:
Age Ratings
Content Rating
Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.
Skill Level
9+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it’s important for parents and guardians to ensure they understand in-game purchases and have spending limits set-up.
Account Rating
- You need be 18-years-old to to subscribe to Xbox Live Gold for online play, but can then configure family accounts for younger players to play online with Xbox One.
- You need be 18-years-old to subscribe to Nintendo Online, but can then create accounts for children of any age to play online with Nintendo Switch.
- You need be 18-years-old to subscribe to PlayStation Plus for online play, but can create sub-accounts for younger players of 7-years or older to play online with PlayStation 4.
Costs
Brawlhalla
 | Xbox One | Free | – | – |
 | Switch | Free | – | – |
 | PC | Free | – | – |
| Mac | Free | – | – |
 | PS4 | Free | – | – |
 | Android | Free | – | – |
 | iOS | Free | – | – |
- In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
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You need a subscription to play online:
- You need to purchase a Nintendo Online subscription to play online with Nintendo Switch.
- You need to purchase a PlayStation Plus subscription to play online with PlayStation 4.
- You need to purchase a Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online with Xbox One.
The purchased items are cosmetic only: character skins, weapon skins, and taunts. The purchases can be made with real money to open "chests". There are lots of types but all cost the same. Each chest has 3 exclusive skins and 16 skins that are not exclusive to that chest. All possible drops can be viewed before purchase.
Each week, there is a selection of 8 free characters to use. New characters are regularly added to the roster of (currently) 49 characters. To access these permanently you need to buy them with the in-game currency earned through matches, daily missions, and level-ups. You can also purchase all existing and future characters via a one-time transaction, in a Season Pass style offer.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Game Details
Release Date: 17/10/2017, updated in 2018
Out Now: Android, Mac, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One and iOS
Skill Rating: 9+ year-olds
Players: 1-4 (8 online)
Genres: Action, Fighting and Traversal
Accessibility: 0 features documented (Tweet Developer )
Components: 2D Side-On and Pixels
Developer: Blue Mammoth (@BlueMammoth)
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Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships. |
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