Motion Controls Not Required For Nintendo Switch Exclusive ‘Arms’
Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch fighting game Arms will not rely solely on motions controls, despite previous demo depictions. Arms will include an option for button-based controls, relying less on arms and more on fingers. Button mashers rejoice!
Even though Arms seems to offer a lot of depth for a fighting game some people have questioned whether motion controls would offer enough precision for high-level gameplay. Nintendo remains confident that they will be, however traditional button-based players will be happy to have another option. Nintendo hopes to set Arms apart from other fighting games, calling it the first fighting game of its kind.
Here is the full synopsis of the game, “Choose a fighting champion from around the world, equip your own combination of extendable arms, and then use a mix of button presses and quick hand motions to really take the fight to your opponent. Throw punches and guide them midflight to hit agile fighters, avoid incoming attacks with dashes, or trampoline high into the air to rain down fists from above. Power-up your punches to deal extra damage or curve your fists around obstacles to hit skittish opponents. Fill up your special gauge to dish out devastating combinations and finish them off. Unleash your inner fighter in this unbelievable sporting event!” Arms is currently scheduled for release in the Spring, however no exact release date has been revealed.
During the Nintendo Treehouse livestream on January 13th, Morgan Ritchie, a Nintendo localisation expert, stated,“It’s important to point out that [we’ve] been playing with the Joy-Con – one in each hand – using motion controls, but obviously if you’re a purist and you like button controls, you’d rather use a more traditional controller, you can of course do that as well.”
Check out the video below for the quote, which starts at 52:18, as well as some other hints and details about Arms during the segment that starts at 44:11. Keep it locked for any and all Nintendo Switch updates!