Soapbox: You're Going To Love ARMS, And Here's Why

This was a real highlight of the presentation, for me.

Especially after 1-2 Switch, which I was disappointed by. I think HD rumble needs to be experienced to be fully understood, perhaps.

Also, was I the only one thinking about red dead 2 during the opening, western themed, skit for 1-2 Switch?

Wasn't impressed when I saw it during the presentation but the more I see of it the more I want it. Better save for another pair of joy cons.

@luke88 No, lots of us gasped then we're quickly red-faced.

Arms does look good though. After reading hands-on reports I'm much more inclined to pick it up.

It looks nice graphically but I'm not sure that I'm interested in it.

Looks like the Splatoon of fighting games.

At first I was like meh, but then I started watching gameplay... more I watched the more I liked.

Im really excited for it now. Game looks way better than Punchout ever hoped to be.

Not interested in the slightest, looks visually great, but the game play looks kinda.........well.........lame. Would get bored of it way too easily

Would only buy if I can play via pro controller.

Still looks lacking in content.
5 playable models and 8 arenas. Not much for your money!
Hope they announce more.

Hopefully they release a demo for it come closer to release.

@Lord They said there are more characters to be revelead, don't know about stages but i guess it's the same (maybe reaching 10?)

I was already sold on Arms.
Splatoon with gloves, that's what it reminds me of.
Can't wait to get my hands on Arms.

Also:
"ARMS could be something of a sleeper hit"

I get it, sleeper hit, didn't see it coming.

Wife wants it so she vent her frustrations out on me. Ill take A virtual punch to the face over a real one any day

No thank you.

Played it at the London Switch Event, was disappointed that it currently seems to be yet another game which forces the player to use motion controls. The rep asked me how I found the game, and I told him it has the potential to be enjoyable if they incorporate standard controls. Hopefully a few more people had the same complaint.

Actually the gameplay idea was exactly like my expectation from long time ago. I mean, Punch Out with free moving, Super Art like Street Fighter Alpha style, Damage points displayed on screen. I love to see those ideas implemented on next boxing games for Switch. Btw, I hope I can find Cute Boxing games just like my avatar. My avatar based on Animal Boxing NDS Hype.

The art style and character designs for ARMS are embarrassingly bad, imo. It's not cute, cool, or even imaginative, just blah awkward.

You're going to love watch amputees with horrible surgery locked in an arena force to fight each other?
What kind of game was Nintendo thinking!?

It has potential, but more information is required. Also, this is a game Nintendo has to put a demo out for either prior to launch or at the very least very soon after launch. People are less fickle with money these days and will only put it on safe bets; this is something different. They need to have people experience it to attract those who enjoy it but don't want to risk a purchase when unsure.

I will say, good on Nintendo for including standard controls. Gamers like choice; they've probably learnt that as good as motion controls can be (I plan to play this with them), there will always be those who don't like it or physically can't use them. So thanks for that.

Although they better be clearer about that cos reading these comments clearly the message hasn't gotten through entirely.

Grabbed me the instant I saw it. Really want to try it out!

If i can play as little mac im happy

This game looks like sooo much fun I'm looking forward to getting it definitely a day one for me .

I hated it during the reveal - casuals don't stay up late or get up early for a presentation like this, hard core gamers do, and this isn't the game they buy $300 consoles for - but I warmed to it in the overly long Treehouse show the next day. It's Pokken Tournament with silly weaponized people, what's not to like?

Oh yeah, the price. I think it's too nice of a game to pack in with the Switch, and a lot of people spending $300 at launch really aren't going to want it anyway, but it still looks too expensive for what it is unfortunately. $60 for the game is probably expected, but it looks like you really need a 2nd set of $80 Joycons to get the most out of this with a friend, so that's $140 in addition to the $300 console. And that might be too much for people close to launch and their Zelda purchase. And then MK8D.

So I like it, and we will get it someday, but not for $60 plus $80 Joycons. Nintendo really needs to work on bundling some things when launch day comes. Either this or 1 2 Switch with $80 Joycons would be an easy start. It's a $300 console launching in March, gotta entice people with more than just full blown MSRP and a port of Zelda.

Edit: OK, that's probably enough for Day 1 early adopters, Wii U and 3DS launched well too, but it's the rest of March, April and May they have to worry about. I've no doubt most Switch owners will pick up MK8D, but is another port enough to get people to buy the Switch? I still expect a breakout E3 and Spla2oon will get things rolling over the summer, but the spring numbers may be bad.

Looks like a decent fighter. Not my favorite genre but as long as it has enough content to satisfy the fan base it should do well. They need something to grab the interest of the non Zelda fans for the launch and maybe this is it?

Feel like this is something my boys would play all the time.......if and when I get a switch I guess I better be ready to by 2nd joy con and ARMS

I'll be getting it.

If there s one thing I have learned about Nintendo, it's that first impressions can often be deceptive.

I'm not hyped for it yet. It might be one of those games that I won't be able to appreciate until I've tried it out firsthand.

Nope. Just a shallow tech demo.

After 1 2 Switch, when Arms came up in the predentation I thought "not another minigame...". So I also was not very pleased at first, but still during the presentation I was starting to like what I saw. This seems to be far more than a minigame and I nicht buy it. Not sure yet though.

@Xaessya
Considering this is the same company that for the past 20 years made the whole world enjoy a game that is basically illegal dog-fighting, I'm not really surprised.

On topic, I'm still not sure about this. It looks very interesting and could be loads of fun. Just a bit bummed I need an extra set of Joy-Cons to enjoy it with friends, I guess... Eh, I'll probably get it anyway. I'm too intrigued.

Big downside for me is that it's multiplayer and that's fair enough since it's the right fit. I just don't like playing against (or with) other players all that much. I like my gaming time to take me to where I can just forget about other people for a while, miserable old curmudgeon that I am.

@WKE Illegal dog fighting is their worlds main way of making a living

@Lord They announced that you can play it with the Pro-controller as well so there you go!

@Lord I'm pretty sure they said more would be announced later as well.

@VoodooTrumpet Are all fighting games shallow tech demos?

Comparing this to Punch Out is like comparing apples and oranges imo. PO is a puzzle game masquerading as boxing while this one is more of a fighting game.

This, Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 2 sold me on the Switch. I hope it does good.

@Sakura I'm sure there is a single player mode that hasn't really been mentioned yet. Most fighting games come with them. I imagine Nintendo is just trying to market the crap out of the multiplayer aspect to entice that crowd. It's similar to what they did with Splatoon which had an awesome single player experience that no one knew about unless you actually bought the game and just happen to walk up on Capt. Cuttlefish by accident in the hub world. Which actually has me hoping that there will still be a story mode in Splatoon 2.

Getting when comes out

All I can think of is Doritos because I was eating them when watching the Arms segment of the presentation.

I think the controls are not the real problem. Sure, they can work perfectly unlike the wii remotes, but still, I have serious doubts about the lasting appeal of the concept on the game.

I'm cautiously optimistic. I think it looks great, and love how colorful it is, but I've been less a fan of fighting games than in the past, so we'll see.

So Alex would also like to see Lanky Kong in the game interesting. I hope he will be a playable character. I remember someone commented that this game looks like Power Stone + Punch Out and I think that is an accurate representation for Arms.

I hope we will see more of the roster soon!

I wasn't that keen on the initial reveal but I'm warming to it incredibly, long as I get online multiplayer, a decent amount of fighter (between 15-20) and some single player content.

@CaptainRainbow Yes Powerstone+Punch-Out! That is a very accurate way of putting it! Definitely how I was feeling.

This looks really fun but fighting games never feel like good value for the money. There's no world to explore or adventure to be had... You're just locked into a small area. The only selling point is the mechanics, and that's not enough for me.

Looks fun but I might wait on this one. I'm not a big fighting game fan so I'd probably play it a lot the first day then only here and there after that.

This looks okay; I've never liked Nintendo's boxing games, but I've seen enough to think maybe this one would be decent. However, it's not like it's going to deliver the value of the cost of the game + the extra set of Joycons you'll need for it, so I'm out.

@Lord you can use the pro controller

I'd like an updated version of wwf superstars arcade please

ARMS is a great deal of fun with solid motion controls. I just hope they have some kind of campaign mode.

So it controls like Virtual On but with punching? I wonder if Sega would make a new one if ARMS is successful.

Nice video! I'm actually more and more excited for this the more I see/hear. And thank you for confirming that standard controls are an option. I have a friend who has been super luke warm on this game, and I'm 99% positive it was the motion control aspect. (Which looks like it'll be good fun, but not quite as competitive ready).

Sleeper hit right there

My only problem with Arms is that it is another game that is more focused on multiplayer and therefore likely a bit light on single player content.
I really enjoyed Mario Kart, Splatoon and Smash Bros, but those are all a lot less fun when playing alone and I unfortunately don't get the chance to play with others very often (and I'm not a big fan of online multiplayer).

I would really like more epic single player experiences from Nintendo.

Whoever thought of the name Arms though... They couldn't do any better? The game looks fun but that's the worst branding I can think of

Well, I'll give this a consideration when and if I can afford the Switch. I'll admit the designs are interesting, especially the mech.

@WarlockNem Cheers! I might still invest in Arms and 1,2 Switch for Streetpass meets, though I suppose we'll have to revise the name now. Probably won't be straight away though I'll keep an eye on single player options and possible price cuts. Wondering what My Nintendo will be doing.

I'm sold. I like the idea of being able to better control my punches.

I'll say I like it more than I did at the presentation. So what is this to...meh. It looks very colorful, but gameplay? I prefer either a solid boxing experience( like fight night, with training and stats) or a over the top fighter( like street fighter).

His seems to be in the middle and not sure it scratches either itch for me. Would need to see how deep combat is, and how many more characters there are.

I thought it looked pretty cool in the initial reveal, and seeing people's live-play footage and impressions has really sold me on it. It sounds like a fighting game on the same wavelength as Smash; something easy to get into, but with levels of depth for those who want to commit the time and effort to reach them. Sure, there are people who will flip out just because it has motion controls, but as has been stated numerous times, there is a standard button configuration if you want it.

Personally, it's not a system seller, but assuming it doesn't turn out to be a complete turd (not likely, but you never know), I'll probably get it when I pick up a Switch towards the end of the year along with Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2, Breath of the Wild, etc.

I'll admit, at first, I rolled my eyes when I saw this. Then I was reminded that I was one of maybe 12 people on this planet that LOVED Wii boxing. Now, I'm a little amped for this. Preordered it 2 days ago. Its actually something I want to get good at. Count me in.

Switch lacking a metroid game at launch ruined the presentation for me. Arms didn't seem like anything to get excited about at 1st but admittedly I m slowly getting hyped for the game. If Nintendo put the same effort into arms that they did with splatoon, then There's no doubt that the game is going to be pretty good. I'm not a fighting game enthusiast but I am somewhat interested in arms. The roster size is the only issue I'm curr ntly worried about although I'm sure arms and Nintendo has yet to show their hand in regards to the roster size.

1 2 switch sounds really really weak. And This game just sounds like more unessential and boring waggling.

I really wish They would drop the gimicks.

@Lord It was stated that you don't need to use motion controls in the Tree House presentation. I think you can assume that a pro controller will work.

Gonna need a playable demo for this one.

Not interested in this at all. Haven't we all done the motion control/boxing thing before? And I really don't care if you can play it without motion controls, still doesn't do anything for me. It just seems like a rehash of a past gimmick to me, and it doesn't look like it will be a system seller.

@Bunkerneath Oh then you should watch more gameplay footage, preferably from someone who has played it for a long time (like that Asian Nintendo Treehouse guy), not just for 10 minutes. It has a lot of depth, I doubt it will become boring so quickly. This game actually has a great shot at becoming the next entry for competitive pro gaming.
@Lord In response to your first post: It was already confirmed on January 13th that it does support button controls (but why would anyone want to play it without motion controls? It's like playing a strategy game with a controller lol). But apparently, no one pays attention or no one cares to gather information themselves.
In response to your second post: Ehm, you do realize this game is still in development, right?
@Markiemania95 I has button controls, that was already confirmed on January 13th (but why play it without motion controls? I don't get it).
@rjejr Everyone has their own preferences of course, but I think this will really be a game that you play online against others, not in local multiplayer against friends. After all, this is not Wii Boxing, it's more like Street Fighter, Rocket League or Overwatch.
@VoodooTrumpet I'm sorry, but you're wrong. It's not a tech demo. It's a competitive fighting game with a lot of depth. Of course you won't gather this info if you just watch a short video, watch longer videos instead (preferably from that Asian Treehouse guy who played it for many months) and listen to what they have to say about it. Seems to be a rather complex game.
@RodSD64 If you've ever gotten into a fighting game for more than just dull button mashing, you will already know the appeal of the game: developing techniques and tactics. Think of Street Fighter: for a casual gamer it might be simple button mashing because they don't get how the game works; but for core gamers and pro's, it's a game with tons of depth where you have to plan every hit, every throw, every counter, in the case of the pros up to every single frame, to beat you oppononent.
ARMS will be exactly like that.
@sketchturner There are fighting games with great story telling, like Injustice or Mortal Kombat X. But sure, ARMS probably isn't one of those, I agree.
@World You don't need an extra set of Joycons for this...
@Danrenfroe2016 I'm sorry, but in that case you never got how motion controls work. You're not supposed to be waggling! It's about making singular, precise movements, not waggling like a crazy person. Sure, the old Wiimote wasn't that precise, but the Joycons are. Wii Boxing was not about waggling (and you couldn't beat that game with waggling) and ARMS isn't either.
This is the biggest misconception about motion controls. I'm so fed up about this, because anyone who has ever played motion-controlled games by just randomly waggling around just doesn't get it. Waggling is like button mashing, it's not how it's meant to be played. I actually had to explain that to many of my friends back then in the Wii era.
@eaglesfly76 No we haven't. Sorry, but apparently you don't get it either. This is not Wii Boxing. This is more like Street Fighter. Go watch the videos. Not the short ones, the longer ones where people who've actually played it for months explain how much thought and strategy you have to put into it to win a fight.

Or just watch how that guy in the video moves his arms, there is no waggling involved:

https://youtu.be/OGCqdZZeFtM?t=100

It also has a lot of more mechanics than Wii Boxing (which had only punch and evade): block, throw, jump, punch, curved punch, flurry (basically like a super combo in street fighter), using the stage to your advantage, different stages with different characteristics, different items for each fist, characters with different characteristics.

@shani Overwatch.

Well it has 25 million players to go before we start talking about Overwatch, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It may be a good online fighting game, but I think most people will get it for - man I don't even know what to call it anymore, can't call it "couch" or "living room" multplayer in the classroom or the playground. "Same general vicinity" multplayer doesn't exactly roll off of the tongue. Maybe Nintnedo should quickly start promoting "Switch multplayer" along w/ their "There's No Play Like It" slogan.

Switch multiplayer. Any time. Any where.
There's no Play like it.

@shani Yeah, BensonUii already confirmed that for me thanks. And because button controls are far more precise than motion controls by nature? Calm down bud, everyone has their own opinions and preferences.

@rjejr They probably should, after all, it worked for Splatoon.
You might be right of course about people buying it for, let's just call it 'local multiplayer'. And of course it's also suited to that, like Street Fighter and other fighting games are. But I think its real potential lies in online gaming and eventually, becoming an esport.
@Markiemania95 Well that's the thing, it seems like that's not true anymore (button controls being more precise) since motion controls have developed a lot since the old Wiimote. The evolution of that didn't stop with the Wiimote+ either; the Wii U Gamepad was already a lot more precise than the Wiimote and apparently - I haven't tried it myself yet - the Joycons are even more precise.
But of course everyone should have their own preferences (and because of that, I think it's good that ARMS offers button controls), I'm not opposing that. I'm just saying many people think of the old Wiimote when they hear 'motion controls', like it's something that always stays the same. The thing is, the Wiimote is more than a decade old, technology has evolved since then and so have motion controls.
It's as if you'd oppose 3D graphics because the games on the N64 look ugly nowadays. That's because it was the first console with 3D graphics, 3D graphics were in their infancy.
I'm not saying everyone should love motion controls and never use buttons anymore, I'm just saying people should keep an open mind, acknowledge the progress that has been made and give new tech a chance instead of judging motion controls based on a 11 year old device.
Sure, you might not have liked motion controls on the Wii (or maybe even the Wii U). But who knows, you might like them now that they have evolved into a more precise control method.

I do have a question though? Will people using the pro-controller have an advantage over the people using the Joy-Cons? Considering you have to tilt both Joy-Cons pretty precisely in the same direction to move in said direction. Will moving with the pro-controller use the gyro-scope feature or d-pad? Either way I see the pro-controller as an advantage because you're not having to control two seperated parts. I guess if someone uses a pro-controller to even the playing field the person with the Joy-Cons would have to slap them into the grip to emulate the pro-controller's preciseness.

@shani For local multiplayer though? I thought you did. If not, that's sweet and I'm a bit more interested though.

@WarlockNem Well for one, since there will also be button-only controls, you will certainly be able to choose how to move your character, not just on the Pro Controller but also on the Joycons.
But actually, I think not being able to steer left and right separately would be a disadvantage, because it means you can't move your arms independently (with motion controls on the Pro Controller).

@World Oh you meant that, I thought you meant to just play the game. Well personally, I'd rather play it online than in local multiplayer. But if you want to play it locally against a friend then of course you will need another set of Joycons (or a Pro Controller). Hopefull they'll get cheaper in used condition after a while, like the Wiimotes did.

@shani "local multiplayer"

Bor-riiing.

You know, I've never liked that term, "local" gets caught in my throat like Gollum saying Golllum. And it sounds so antiseptic. But I do suppose your technically correct and it's a well accepted and established term. I'd still push "Switch multiplayer if I were Nintendo though. All the hipsters will be doing it on their rooftops, and they're too cool for local multiplayer.

@shani Yeah, hope so too! I'd probably only be playing this local on game nights, so I'll have to get some extra Joycons (or hope someone else buys a Switch, maybe). And hey, by then maybe the game will have gone down a bit too!

I figured it'd be cool.

@rjejr Haha I totally get what you mean.
The first Switch ad was so heavily targeted at hipsters, when I saw it my thoughts were "nobody will do that in real life, ever" though.
@World Yeah let's hope so!

Maybe its great. Have to play it to see. Still looks a little limited for a 50-60 dollar game. Why not a Switch Sports bundle with tennis, fencing etc.

Personally I think it looks promising, Nintendo always have a unique view of established genres that I tend to find refreshing

Apparently, someone over at Neogaf already got to play it extensively and wrote down everything they found out about the game's mechanics:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=228511981&postcount=276

Seems like there are a lot more details (like the instant charge) that we didn't know about! This could really become the next big thing. It's a shame the Switch doesn't support direct streaming to Twitch and Youtube (yet).

"Soapbox: You're Going To Love ARMS, And Here's Why:"

...That's a pretty good argument, I think.

@shani Dude relax, don't get your panties in a bunch. I'm still not sold at all. In my view, this is not a system selling game whatsoever and just another gimmick by the Big N. If you think you'll enjoy the game, then I'm happy for you. We all have our own preferences and are entitled to our opinions.

Do you write for BuzzFeed by any chance?

I loved arms when I tried it! I'm the first (and the last) guy talking if you happen to care

@eaglesfly76 I'm not saying it's a system seller or something that everyone should like. What I'm saying is: it's not a gimmick, it's not remotely like Wii Boxing, it's not even a casual game. That becomes immediately clear when you see how many different fighting elements the gameplay offers.
I'm not trying to convince you or anyone to buy it, I just want people to stop viewing things superficially (which unfortunately, many people do with lots of other stuff too, even politics) and to actually take the time to gather more information (because it's out there) and acknowledge how much depth it has.

@luke88 I was thinking Wild Gunman reboot haha.

EVO 2017 has a 9th spot for a game open to fan pick via donations and ARMS is a contender. It has no chance with KI and Skullgirls being so well established, but it's a shame Nintendo isn't pushing the issue. Maybe a timing issue.
If the game has the high skill ceiling the devs are claiming, putting it in the hands of the pro FGC would be a very smart move.

TBH, in many ways this reminds me of PowerStone without the Power...

...or the...

stones...

I keep hearing people say, oh just let it have pro controller support. Um guys, you do realize that Nintendo is making this a tad different then most fighting games right? Its not a button smasher, its meant to be a strategic fighting game in your own movements. For a game with little buttons it has some very in-depth gameplay. It may seem small now, with just 5 characters and 8 stages. But I am almost sure Nintendo will have much more to release about this game before its release. Lets not forget Nintendo knows how to make a fighting game, and they know what attracts fans to them

I am huge punch out fan and this looks close enough (and different enough to be exciting) to garner a day one purchase out of me.