Arms

Gameplay and Core Mechanics

Arms is a 3D fighting sports game that differs from standard fighters by emphasizing long-range combat with extendable, weaponized arms. Players control one of various fighters, performing actions like punching, throwing, blocking, and dodging. A key strategic element is the ability to customize arm loadouts, with each arm selected independently for left and right sides. Every arm has its own elemental attributes and varying weights, which directly impact the speed and power of attacks.

Players can charge their attacks to temporarily increase damage and apply elemental effects. When a special attack meter is fully charged, a fighter can unleash a high-damage rush attack. The game supports up to four players in a single match, featuring three or four-way free-for-all battles and a distinctive two-on-two mode where teammates are physically tethered together. Control is versatile, allowing the use of the Joy-Con's motion controls for individual arm operation or traditional button inputs via the Pro Controller.

Game Modes and Content

Beyond standard versus fights, Arms offers a substantial suite of modes. The single-player Grand Prix mode tasks players with winning a championship belt through a set of ten matches against computer-controlled opponents. A variety of Battle modes provide alternative challenges, including volleyball and basketball variants, a target-breaking mode, and a survival mode.

Online play is a major component, featuring a party match lobby that can host up to 20 players for casual matches, and a ranked match mode for competitive one-on-one play. At launch, the game featured ten playable fighters. Through a series of free post-release updates following the Splatoon content model, five additional fighters were added, along with new stages and arms, expanding the game's content until support concluded in December 2017.

The Roster of Fighters

The game's fifteen playable fighters each have distinct backgrounds, motivations, and arm compositions. Spring Man, the hot-blooded bouncer with metallic coil arms, dreams of defeating the champion Max Brass. Ribbon Girl is a famous pop star using ribbon arms, while Ninjara is a stealthy ninja student with chain arms. The heavyweight Master Mummy, with bandage arms, seeks to reunite with his family.

Min Min, the ramen bomber, uses noodle arms to promote her family's restaurant. Mechanica, who lacks the natural ARMS gene, pilots a custom-built mech suit. The movie star Twintelle uses her hair, and the robot police duo Byte & Barq fight as a tag team. The roster is rounded out by streamer Kid Cobra with snake arms, the DNA-based slime creature Helix, the veteran commissioner Max Brass, the clown Lola Pop with candy arms, the spiritual warrior Misango, the robotic duplicate Springtron, and the head scientist Dr. Coyle. The final boss on higher difficulty is Hedlok, a self-aware mask robot.

Development and Creative Origins

Developed by Nintendo's EPD division with assistance from Bandai Namco Studios, Arms began as an experiment to see if a behind-the-camera perspective could work in a fighting game. The extendable arms concept was central to making this perspective functional. The director, Kosuke Yabuki, cited the spatial awareness of Mario Kart as an influence on how players would judge distance and aim their long-range attacks.

Early in development, the team considered featuring established Nintendo characters like Mario and Link, but the core aesthetic of extendable arms clashed with their designs. Adding characters from the Punch-Out!! series was also considered but dismissed over concerns of alienating fans. This led to the creation of an entirely original cast. Character design often started with the arm concept first, such as designing Helix around the idea of DNA strand arms, and then building the character backwards. The game's art style was heavily influenced by the manga and anime works Dragon Ball and Akira.

Launch, Updates, and Demos

Arms was announced at the Nintendo Switch Presentation on January 12, 2017, and released worldwide on June 16, 2017. Prior to launch, Nintendo held a multiplayer demo called the Arms Global Testpunch, available for download on the eShop. This demo allowed players to test online gameplay during twelve separate, scheduled hour-long sessions, building community interest.

Following release, Nintendo provided irregular free updates that added new fighters, stages, and arms, a strategy modeled after the successful update schedule for Splatoon. This additional content continued until December 2017, when Nintendo announced that only balance updates would follow. In May 2018, a separate limited-time demo was released on the eShop, which differed from the Testpunch by offering only offline single-player and local multiplayer with a restricted selection of characters and arms.

Critical Reception and Commercial Performance

Arms received generally favorable reviews from critics. Reviewers praised its creative concept, comparing its accessible yet deep mechanics to the boxing in Wii Sports and its potential to change its genre as Splatoon did for shooters. IGN highlighted the game's complexity and addictive nature, while Polygon applauded its creativity and saw potential for a new franchise. Criticisms included a noted lack of content at launch and a steep learning curve for mastering the motion controls and strategic depth.

Commercially, the game debuted at number two on the all-format sales charts in the UK and Australia, behind Horizon Zero Dawn. In Japan, it sold 100,652 physical copies in its first week and debuted at number one. By July 2018, it had sold over two million copies, a figure that grew to 2.1 million by September 2018. The 2023 CESA Games White Papers reported lifetime sales of 2.72 million units as of December 31, 2022. The game was nominated for Best Fighting Game in several 2017 year-end awards and fostered a small but dedicated esports scene.

Legacy and Crossover Appearances

The legacy of Arms extends beyond its own game. A graphic novel based on the franchise was in development by Dark Horse Comics, written by Ian Flynn, but was reportedly cancelled in March 2021. Its most significant impact has been within the Super Smash Bros. series.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Spring Man appears as a summonable Assist Trophy, and several characters are featured as collectible Spirits. A major crossover occurred on June 29, 2020, with the release of a downloadable content pack that added Min Min as a fully playable fighter. This pack also included the Spring Stadium stage and 18 music tracks from Arms. An Amiibo figure of Min Min was later released on April 29, 2022, confirming the character's role in Nintendo's broader lineup.