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Play Overview
Arms (2017) is a fighting game where you brawl other players with your abnormally long arms. The play is simple with motion and button controls to move around and attack the enemy player in a boxing-style arena. It's like Wii-Sports Boxing but with many more options and much more detailed (and comical) attacks.
You play using characters with long, weaponised arms that extend to attack. Each arm has a weapon of your choice on the end which is used at the same time to grab opponents. They can also be used in different combinations to cause more damage.
Using the motion controls and holding on Joy-Con in each hand, you dodge and block incoming attacks to avoid taking damage and getting knocked out of the game. With each hit you land or take, your rush meter fills up. Similar to Smash Ultimate; when your meter is full you time a heavy-damage attack on the other player.
There are 15 characters to choose from and each of them has a different ability that helps them during a fight. For example, with one of the players, you regenerate your health while blocking during the fight. Some of the arenas also have special traits such as obstacles to dodge or platforms that you can jump on to gain the high ground.
Arms is unique amongst fighting games because you primarily use long-range attacks and you customise which fists you want to fight with. It's also the silliest, which young players love.
Our examiner, Hannah Robertson, first checked Arms 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Andy Robertson and updated 5 weeks ago.
You play using characters with long, weaponised arms that extend to attack. Each arm has a weapon of your choice on the end which is used at the same time to grab opponents. They can also be used in different combinations to cause more damage.
Using the motion controls and holding on Joy-Con in each hand, you dodge and block incoming attacks to avoid taking damage and getting knocked out of the game. With each hit you land or take, your rush meter fills up. Similar to Smash Ultimate; when your meter is full you time a heavy-damage attack on the other player.
There are 15 characters to choose from and each of them has a different ability that helps them during a fight. For example, with one of the players, you regenerate your health while blocking during the fight. Some of the arenas also have special traits such as obstacles to dodge or platforms that you can jump on to gain the high ground.
Arms is unique amongst fighting games because you primarily use long-range attacks and you customise which fists you want to fight with. It's also the silliest, which young players love.
Our examiner, Hannah Robertson, first checked Arms 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Andy Robertson and updated 5 weeks ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Arms. Here are some similar younger-rated games:
Play Style
This is a Fighting and Physically Active game with Action elements. You can play with 1 to 4 players in the same room or as a 4-player online game. Arms features local split-screen multiplayer where you fight in teams or free-for-all.
There is a Grand Prix mode that involves fighting through 10 battles in a row to win the Grand Prix belt. This can be played alone or locally with a friend on a tag-team.
Online competitive play matches you with a player of your skill level for a 1-on-1 battle. Online casual play pits many players together with randomly picked game rules. Two people can play online per console, so long as two profiles have their own subscription to Nintendo Switch Online.
There is a Grand Prix mode that involves fighting through 10 battles in a row to win the Grand Prix belt. This can be played alone or locally with a friend on a tag-team.
Online competitive play matches you with a player of your skill level for a 1-on-1 battle. Online casual play pits many players together with randomly picked game rules. Two people can play online per console, so long as two profiles have their own subscription to Nintendo Switch Online.
You can play this game in the following styles:
Benefits
Age Ratings
Content Rating
The attacks do vary between gloves, but the type of attack is always the same. You swing your arms at your opponent, which will then extend and fly in that direction. Depending on the glove chosen, it has a different effect, but will always result in a hit on the character.
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.
Rated for younger players in the US. Rated ESRB EVERYONE 10+ for Cartoon Violence. This is a fighting game in which players use whimsical spring-armed characters to engage in arena combat against opponents. Characters include robots with human faces, a mummy, a blob, and a female character that uses her hair as a weapon. Characters use their spring arms to punch and swat opponents in an attempt to deplete their health meters. Players can engage in one-on-one battles as well as multiplayer arena events, tag-team fights, target practice, and volleyball with an oversized cartoony bomb. Battles are highlighted by explosions and light effects, as well as short cries of pain.
Skill Level
9+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content.
Account Rating
- 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 or Nintendo Switch 2.
Costs
Arms usually costs £49.99.
A free demo version of this game is available to download on the Nintendo eShop.
On Switch 2, the Switch game gets free enhancements:
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Arms
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
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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 or Nintendo Switch 2.
A free demo version of this game is available to download on the Nintendo eShop.
On Switch 2, the Switch game gets free enhancements:
- Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. HDR support.
- Frame rate: optimised for Nintendo Switch 2 for smoother movement (even when playing with three or more players).
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Game Details
Release Date: 16/06/2017
Out Now: Switch and Switch 2
Skill Rating: 9+ year-olds
Players: 1-4 (4 online)
Genres: Fighting, Physically Active and Action
Accessibility: 13 features
Components: 3D First-Person
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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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