One brawler that's yet to be released on Nintendo's hybrid system is the indie hit Rivals of Aether by Dan Fornace. Its standard release has been available on certain other platforms since 2017 and now the game's official Twitter account has revealed the "definitive edition" will be arriving on Switch and Steam this summer.
This was the official announcement over on Twitter:
@RivalsOfAether Rivals of Aether Definitive Edition is coming this summer to Nintendo Switch and Steam!
This version of the game supports up to four players online or locally and has all of the characters, stages, and modes unlocked. There'll also be brand new milestones, new cosmetics and new ways to play. The title includes a number of cameo fighters as well, such as Shovel Knight and Ori from Ori And The Blind Forest.
In January 2018, Fornace said his team was prioritising the Switch release and then in August 2019 the game was reconfirmed for the platform. This followed on with a first-look in October.
Have you been waiting for the arrival of this game on the Switch? Tell us below.
Comments 22
Nah, I'm glad it's coming though since I know folks like it. I just could never get into it.
Glad it's finally coming, and it's good to see Ori still being part of the roster on Switch.
This is clearly a poor man’s version of ...
Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of Legendary Legends.
Looks like an Indie man’s version of Smash though.
Finally. Superb game. Tightest balanced platform fighter on the market. Really hoping the incessant Smash comparisons work in the game's favour sales-wise because it's so much more than that.
@Kienda and it's clearly the more superior rival to Brawlout.
So glad it's coming, would be a perfect time killer to play on the go. Glad they kept Ori and Shovel Knight, now if only they had a Nintendo platform exclusive character added in such as Stalfos, Captain Rainbow, Lip, Piers, Funky, Weavel, Takamaru, Mike Jones, Andy, Glass Joe, Saki, Jack Levin, Aeron, Starfy, Krystal, Mist, Krusha, Kamek, Elma, Geno, Doshin, Jill, Tatanga, Stanley, etc., that would be great.
AAAAAAAAHHH! Will we get custom stages? Can I play on KFAD ON MY SWITCH!! Please. Custom stages on switch.
Ah dang that's some nice key art introducing the characters. Makes me wish that's how the game looked!
I'm not just criticizing this game here, but it's such a shame that games makers can't think of their own individual ideas, that way we might get more innovation in the gaming industry.
Aether? Eather? Neather? Naether?
Let's call the whole thing off....
I'm up for it. We need more good fighting games on the Switch.
@dew12333 I do get what you’re saying, especially since Smash clones have a history of mixed results
That being said, this game seems less like a copycat and more of an homage. It’s probably because of its roots, since this came as a spiritual successor to the fan-game Super Smash Land. I definitely wouldn’t write this one off
@dew12333 Have you seen the originality on the eshop? The problem is that most "original" ideas aren't fun to play.
Smash > Brawlhalla > Rivals of Aether > Brawlout. May pick this up as it's the definitive edition, depending on price.
I've been waiting for Rivals of Aether since it's announcement. Day one for me. It's basically competitive Smash without the annoying camping tactics.
Good game, but I'll just stick to the PC version because of the steam workshop content. It's basically Mugen 2.0
The game is full of original ideas. Anyone who thinks this is a ripoff must think Street Fighter should be the only fighting game (which would preclude even Smash from existing) and Mario the only platformer. Smash created a genre that many loved. This game works within the same genre but with a different, 2D art style that looks really nice, a focus on a smaller, more tightly balanced roster (including two indie guest stars), and more competitive stages. The characters all have some passive ability or gimmick that makes them stand out, like one who can "smash attack" in the air, and there are no clones. There's no ledgegrabbing, which is probably good for competitive play (no ledge stalling). And on the noncompetitive side, it has a very fun solo/co-op arcade mode that I did not expect to like half as much as I did.
I will totally buy this again. It complements Smash well, and I'll keep playing both.
On a related note, the Shovel Knight fighting game is also a platform fighter with some original ideas that is pretty good for the exact opposite reasons Rivals is. If you like the wild stages and items of Smash, the Shovel Knight game leans heavily in that direction and is a great party game.
ill admit, its neat. Much better than brawlhalla, but it still feels amiss to mee..
its been a long while since i played it but i want to say it was the lack of items or maybe that the characters felt the same, im not really sure.
Been waiting for Switch port since January 2018. So glad it's finally coming. Much easier to bring a ROA set to tournaments now.
This would have been a lot cooler a long time ago. My desire to play any Smash-esque games that aren't Smash has completely evaporated.
@dew12333 There are like less than a dozen fully developed platform fighters total right now. Compare that with the hundreds of traditional fighters, shooters, RPGs, etc. You can be original without inventing a new genre. Compare whats on offer here to whats on offer in Icons: Combat Arena or Brawlout and this game feels pretty dang original if you ask me.
Unfortunately, this game probably won't be getting a sale from me, but that is simply because I haven't even bought Smash Ultimate yet. If I was going to play any fighting game, it would be that one.
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