ARMS

ARMS is an original fighting series from Nintendo in which characters are equipped with extremely stretchy spring-loaded arms that let them strike opponents from a distance, dodge, block, and chain hits into more complex combos. The game is controlled primarily through motion -- the player physically punches with the Joy-Cons in hand, twisting them to curve the punch's flight path around obstacles or an opponent's guard, although traditional button controls are also available for players who prefer a classic approach.

Unlike most fighting games, ARMS takes place in an open three-dimensional space, so alongside timing, positioning, distance, and the angle a punch arrives from all come into play -- a match feels more like long-range fencing than a classic brawler. The roster offers over ten distinctive fighters, from the mechanical girl Ribbon Girl through the fiery chef Master Mummy to the robot Springtron, with each character differing in height, speed, and specific arms carrying their own traits such as electric shock, fire, or freezing, which the player can freely mix and match before a match. The arenas and game modes are varied, from classic one-on-one duels through bomb volleyball to a basketball mode where the goal is to dunk the opponent into a hoop, and the arenas also feature obstacles and moving platforms that change the flow of combat.

Nintendo supported the game long-term after release with free updates adding new fighters, arenas, and game modes, turning it into a living title with an active, if smaller, community, and the game also received regular online tournament events. Visually it is one of the cleanest-looking titles on Switch, with bold colors and smooth performance that players who play at a fast pace will especially appreciate. Critics praised the originality of the concept and the depth of the combat system, though some players noted the game lacks single-player content and a broader story context. ARMS remains one of the few entirely new franchises Nintendo introduced during the Switch generation.